Coronavirus Victoria: 11 new cases, two deaths; Melbourne lockdown could end early

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Victoria’s daily tally has dipped once again, with 11 new cases of coronavirus and two deaths recorded overnight.

It’s the lowest 24-hour increase since nine cases were recorded on June 16 and brings Melbourne’s rolling 14-day average to 34.4.

Metropolitan Melbourne must reach an average daily case rate of between 30 and 50 cases over the preceding fortnight to trigger an easing of lockdown measures from September 28.

The latest deaths include two women, one aged in her 80s and the other in her 100s.

Premier Daniel Andrews said: “This is not just a good day, it is a great day.

“We are seeing numbers come down and seeing these strategies.

“We will need to stay the course though because, if we were to open up, these numbers are still too high … We just have to stay the course on this. Ultimately, these are very good numbers.”

media_camera A woman gets her daily exercise at Port Melbourne on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

Currently, Victoria has 657 active cases, including 332 in aged care and 79 healthcare workers.

More than 7100 test results have been processed over the past 24 hours, with most of these being taken on Saturday.

Five of Monday’s new infections are linked to known outbreaks, while six are under investigation.

No new cases have been discovered in the municipality of Casey, with the Hallam outbreak now sitting at 43 — an increase of three.

There are also 92 Victorians in hospital, with six in intensive care and three on a ventilator.

The Premier acknowledged increased social activity driven by sunny weather over the weekend and reminded Victorians of the risk involved.

“I would not say I am nervous about that. I am conscious that when you allow further activity and groups, whether formal or informal, there is a risk,” he said.

Meanwhile, police have dished out 177 fines in the last 24 hours to people breaking COVID-19 restrictions.

media_camera Beachgoers enjoying the weekend’s warm weather at Frankston Beach. Picture: Tim Carrafa

They include a man who drove from Coburg to allegedly visit a grocery store in Bacchus Marsh, another man who travelled from Doncaster to Frankston because he wanted to visit a park and a party of six busted at an apartment in the city.

A total of 13 people were fined for not wearing a face covering, a further 6 were stopped at vehicle checkpoints and 45 people were caught breaking curfew.

More than 1170 spot checks were carried out at homes, businesses and public places.

And up to 20 Melburnians have been caught trying to flee the city since coronavirus restrictions were eased in regional Victoria last week.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on 3AW radio between 10 and 20 people had so far been hit with almost $5000 fines for the new offence of failing to comply with the requirement to remain in a restricted area.

Mr Patton said seven of those were issued in the first 36 hours after the new $4957 fine came into force on Thursday.

He said about 40 people had also been given $4957 fines for breaching their self-isolation requirements since that infringement was introduced in early August.

media_camera An empty Acland St mall in St Kilda on Monday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

“And we have seen cases because of people spending time in each other’s home and that is very, very risky.”

Despite the promising update on Monday, Mr Andrews said Victorians needed to be patient as models were rerun.

“Circumstances can change, advice can change, models will be rerun and we will have more to say about what we believe is safe,” he said.

“But ultimately, safety has to guide us, and while we would all like to bring forward things a month, that is not the advice, not what the data and science says.

“What they are clear about is that even with these low numbers and the great work we’re doing, it is too early for us to open up. We need to take these steps, safe and steady and if they are not steady, it will not be safe.”

He also highlighted the danger of reopening too early, saying: “If I was to say: I will open up these 10 different settings because we are ahead of schedule, we would not see the results of that for two to three weeks.

“And if it was the wrong call, you have a very significant problem.”

NATIONAL EXPERTS NOT CONSULTED ON CURFEW

The peak national health body tasked with advising the government during the pandemic was not consulted or engaged to provide advice on the use of a curfew before it was imposed on Victoria.

Deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said the measure, now facing a legal challenge, was never put to the AHPPC or discussed.

“The curfew was obviously designed with an intent in mind and that was to restrict movement, which... is part of the key way that COVID-19 spreads around,” Dr Coatsworth said.

“But as a public health measure, it was never debated or discussed within the AHPPC.”

Dr Coatsworth said Victoria was showing some promising case numbers fall.

“These are very pleasing results from Victoria... just a testimony to the immense effort of Victorians both in rural and regional Victoria, particularly in Melbourne and it surrounds those Australians who’ve been under a very restricted way of life for many weeks now,” Dr Coatsoworth said.

“It is clear that the Victorian public health unit, Professor Brett Sutton and his colleagues, are taking these numbers into account as they plan further, lifting of restrictions.

“If [case numbers] continue down into single digit territory there’s no doubt that that will be provoking some thought on behalf of the Victorian Government about the roadmap and when restrictions can be lifted.”

When asked whether Victorians found to be breaching public health orders during a contact tracing interview should be fined, Dr Coatsworth said it should be dealt with on a case by case basis.

“The principle is that we want to do things that are going to encourage people to be as open as possible,” Dr Coatsworth said.

“No matter what reason you may have for wanting to conceal information to public health officials, please don’t do it.

“It has some very widespread implications for your community.

“With regard to enforcement... it needs to be one that I think is made on a case by case basis.”

HOPE FOR EARLY LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS

Monday’s figures have given Melburnians hope they could be freed from lockdown by early to mid-October, if COVID-19 cases continue to plummet.

As epidemiologists predict Victoria’s 14-day average will dip below five cases a day within a fortnight, it is believed the government could reopen the city ahead of schedule.

That would allow up to 10 Melburnians to gather outdoors to watch the AFL Grand Final on October 24.

Under the current road map, Melbourne’s lockdown will not be lifted until after October 26, on the proviso that Victoria hits the case target.

But on Sunday, Daniel Andrews left the door open to easing restrictions sooner, saying, “I’ve never ruled that out”.

“We will always be guided by those three things: the evidence and the science, the data and what is deemed safe,” the Premier said.

“We are on schedule. We may even be a bit ahead of schedule, but we’ve got to keep going.”

media_camera Melbourne's retail industry has been heavily impacted by the lockdown. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

The Herald Sun believes the government would abandon the October 26 date if the cases target is met and it is deemed safe to do so.

It would allow public gatherings to be increased to 10 people, shops to reopen, ­restaurants to offer outdoor dining and the end of the ­curfew.

The government’s modelling expert, Professor Tony Blakely of Melbourne University, said the state was tracking well ahead of schedule.

On Sunday, Victoria recorded just 14 new cases — a three-month low — with the 14-day average dropping to just 38.4.

Basic modelling carried out by Prof Blakely, provided to the Herald Sun, shows daily cases could fall to 10 and the two-week average to 20 by September 28.

“We are on a good track if the recent past predicts the near future,” he said, while warning a moderate cluster in Melbourne could change the predictions. “If we are aiming for tight suppression, which I am led to believe we are, and it is consistent with opening up borders and a hot spot strategy, then there is a case for considering opening up to step three earlier than October 26.”

However, Prof Blakely said the government needed to factor in three weeks between a minor easing of restrictions on September 28 and the next step out of lockdown.

media_camera Police officers on patrol in Melbourne CBD during stage four lockdowns. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Geraghty

Melbourne University head of population and global health Nancy Baxter said the rapid fall in cases gave her ­confidence Victoria could dip below the five-case average within a fortnight.

“It’s going to be at least a week and a bit from now, because even if we got down to almost zero, we have the tail, the numbers from the past 14 days, adding into our averages,” Prof Baxter said. “If we’re doing really well, I’d say we might even be a couple of weeks early.”

Deakin University head of epidemiology Catherine Bennett said Victoria’s testing and tracing had improved dramatically in the second wave, giving her reason to believe the state government could bring some easing measures forward.

“If it did keep travelling then we would be below five (case average over 14 days) by the end of the month,” Prof Bennett said.

“Hopefully, that means the government now has more confidence to reset some of those markers (thresholds) — if even if not the numbers, then the dates.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison believed thousands of Victorian jobs could “bounce back” by Christmas if the state government handled the “next step right”.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg urged Victoria to open up as soon as possible.

media_camera People relaxing at John Hemmings Memorial Park in Dandenong on the weekend. Picture: Tim Carrafa

School camps will return for children in regional Victoria as face-to-face learning begins in term four.

Education Minister James Merlino on Monday announced camps would be limited to one school at a time but could take place under the latest health advice.

Prep to Grade 6 students outside Melbourne will come back to classes from October 6, with VCE and VCAL students also able to attend on site for the General Achievement Test and other assessments during that week.

The National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne and other institutions that are popular school holiday destinations will also roll out online activities to keep kids entertained over the next few weeks.

HEALTH DEPT’S DECISION NOT TO FINE LAW-BREAKING SPREADERS

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has confirmed members of a new coronavirus cluster in the City of Casey will not be fined for allegedly breaching stay-at-home directions and spreading the virus.

Speaking on 3AW, Mr Patton said the decision was made by the Department of Health and Human Services, who deemed it “not appropriate” to issue infringements.

“They are the ones who do the contact tracing and engage with those individuals … and they’ve made the decision that it’s not appropriate under the circumstances,” Mr Patton said.

media_camera The Hallam cluster continues to grow. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

He said he could understand public frustration at the group – who are reported to be members of an extended family – but the ultimate decision was not made by Victoria Police.

“I can understand that and I could mount an argument either way really … (but) that’s what they’ve chosen to do,” he said.

Mr Andrews once again backed the decision not to fine the rulebreakers.

“You don’t need to be a Rhodes Scholar to work out the people will not answer truthfully,” he said.

“Even if they were prepared to pay the fine, they won’t want to get other people into trouble.

“Maybe we would all feel better if those people got a fine, but I think we will feel better again, better still, when we control these outbreaks.”

FARNHAM FURIOUS AT FLASH MOB FOR HIJACKING ANTHEM

Music legend John Farnham has hit out at protesters who used his ‘You’re The Voice’ anthem during a flash mob on Sunday.

Two people were arrested and six given fines over the anti-lockdown protest at Chadstone Shopping Centre on Sunday.

The small rally came to a rapid anticlimactic end after the group, supported by guitar, sang Farnham’s famous song.

Police slammed demonstrators for their “selfish behaviour”, vowing to track attendees down and hold them to account.

Anti-lockdown protesters sing John Farnham classic at shopping centre Protesters gathered at Chadstone Shopping Centre and sung a John Farnham classic. The protest was quickly dispersed.

WHAT WE MISS MOST ABOUT LIFE BEFORE LOCKDOWN

Victorians believe it is safe to play golf and tennis, shop at Bunnings and visit the zoo, ­according to a new report that ­reveals they are missing socialising with friends the most.

The latest Bastion Insights report shows 63 per cent of Victorians said golf should ­immediately be given the green light, while more than 60 per cent supported a return to shopping at Bunnings, visiting a hairdresser and playing tennis.

More than half said zoos, indoor dining at cafes and pubs, and real estate inspections could also go ahead with appropriate social distancing measures.

“Being stuck at home, people just want to be able to get on with DIY projects, and plant their vegie gardens,” Bastion Insights chief executive Dianne Gardiner said.

“You just can’t shop for these things online, and if Bunnings can open in a COVID-safe way like supermarkets, our research shows Victorians would support this.”

Kew East mother of two Jess Kyriacou is among those who support opening up faster if it is safe to do so.

She said she was looking forward to family bushwalks and going to the beach.

“With the 5km limit there are so many things you take for granted that you can’t do,” she said.

media_camera Melburnians gather at Elwood beach as cases drop. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“I think we’ll have a new ­appreciation of those normal things.”

She said her two sons Alex and Matthew had been “going wild” in lockdown.

“My 3½-year-old is climbing the walls being so cooped up. Especially when the playgrounds were closed, that was particularly hard, he was missing that social side of things,” she said.

Asked the three things they missed most during lockdown, Victorians named socialising with friends, travelling, spending time with family and dining out. One in five said going out for coffee, while 16 per cent said going to the gym.

The Bastion Insights survey also found that the COVID-19 second wave had rattled Victorians, but their confidence in was beginning to bounce back.

Confidence that the state could control future outbreaks was also up — from 29 per cent on August 3 to 41 per cent on September 14.

But Victorians are the least satisfied with their state government’s response to the pandemic, with just 44 per cent — down from 54 per cent six weeks ago — saying it was good or excellent.

The Western Australian government was given the highest approval, 79 per cent.

media_camera People exercise in Westerfolds Park, Eltham. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The report also revealed that 34 per cent of surveyed Victorians had less faith in our political leaders since the pandemic hit, but 16 per cent had more.

About a third had less faith in both the federal and Victorian governments — but 30 per cent had more faith in those on Spring Street, compared with just 19 per cent who had a more positive view of those in Canberra.

Victorian’s loss of trust in their state leaders is far greater than in any other state.

The level of concern about the future has stabilised in Victoria, sitting at 46 per cent, compared with 60 per cent in August, the report says.

But while the physical and mental health concerns of Victorians had eased slightly, their economic fears had increased, and half were now very concerned about the economy.

And while many Victorians had been forced to save money during lockdown — more than those in any other state — “the gap between the haves and have-nots” was widening nationally, and those earning more than $156,000 a year are saving much more than others.

The Bastion report is based on a national survey of 970 people between September 10 and 14 this year.

COULD FLU VACCINE BE A POTENTIAL COVID-19 CURE?

A vaccine design previously developed to create immunity for influenza and cancer patients could be used to protect elderly coronavirus patients.

The original proof of concept design — or plan — has shown long-term immunity in mouse models, which researchers believe could also be tailored to help fight the coronavirus.

They’re now working to adapt their research and use it to create a vaccine specific for elderly COVID-19 sufferers.

The design, a collaboration between Monash University and the University of Singapore, works by hijacking a cell called the dendritic cell, which “fast-tracks” the body’s own virus-fighting immune response.

This targets what is known as the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2 — a protein found on the outside layer of the virus and essential for taking over cells within the body. Monash’s Mireille Lahoud said “it’s like you’re addressing an envelope and ensuring the right immune response”.

Concerns mount over Victoria's face mask shortage Victorian health care workers are being forced to ration their health care equipment as face mask supplies drop to alarmingly low levels.

“The focus of our research is understanding the immune system and how the proteins of the cells in the immune system can be used to initiate or ­reduce a response,” Associate Professor Lahoud said

“We want to block (the virus) getting in.”

To do this, Prof Lahoud and colleague Irina Caminschi designed a protein — Clec9A — which latches onto the dendritic cells. This essentially acts as an alert, picking up the spike protein and delivering it to T and B cells, which are key in starting an immune response.

A recent study using this vaccine design in mice with COVID-19 found it initiated a “strong” immunity response for both young and old.

“Given the enormous impact that COVID-19 has had on aged care facilities globally, there is an urgent need for a vaccine that can work in older people, who often have weakened immunity and do not ­respond as effectively to vaccines,” Prof Lahoud said.

The vaccine design, which has been proven in preclinical studies to work for cancer and influenza, has been more than 10 years in the making.

It comes as Melbourne’s Doherty Institute continues research in two vaccines that target the tips of the spikes on virus cells.

The institute and the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences will test vaccines that block the receptor binding domain (RBD) of proteins surrounding virus cells.

The RBD enable the virus to attach and enter cells, so blocking the attachment will enable the vaccine to block infection.

Human trials could start on 60 healthy people in about six months, with the vaccine tested prior on mice, hamsters and primates.

TWO ARRESTED AFTER BIZARRE ANTI-LOCKDOWN PROTEST

CORONAVIRUS: MELBOURNE AND VICTORIA’S ACTIVE CASES

OFFICIALS REFUSED TO PROVIDE AGED CARE WORKERS PPE