As Melburnians awake to their 215th day of lockdown since the pandemic began – the second longest lockdown in the world (behind Buenos Aires) – they also awake to the dour news that Victoria has recorded another 208 locally acquired COVID cases:
Reported yesterday: 208 new local cases and 1 case acquired overseas (currently in HQ).
– 33,511 vaccines administered
– 48,572 test results received
– Sadly, 1 person with COVID-19 has diedMore later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W
[1/2] pic.twitter.com/ATJElwPMH3— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) September 2, 2021
Of the 208 locally acquired cases, only 96 have been linked to known cases and outbreaks.
The next chart plots the explosion in daily cases:
Virus breakout.
Victoria’s case growth is beginning to look like NSW:
Turning NSW.
As the state’s active cases climb toward 1200:
Toward 1200.
Meanwhile, an analysis of yesterday’s cases shows the virus spread broadening beyond Western Melbourne:
Virus broadening.
Finally, there are worries that Victoria’s virus outbreak could be much worse than reported given the proportion of Covid patients who are in hospital is 5.6% in Victoria versus 4.7% in NSW. Likewise, the proportion of cases in intensive care is 2.1% in Victoria and just 0.7% in NSW, according to the Herald-Sun.
Health authorities are concerned that many people are not being diagnosed with Covid until they become sick enough to attend an emergency department.
