Victoria has recorded 295 more coronavirus cases and nine deaths, taking Australia's death toll to 176. Seven of the nine deaths are linked to private aged care facilities. There are 804 active cases in aged care and 502 in healthcare workers.
Aged care residents have started being transferred from residential homes to hospitals, after state and federal intervention into the sector this week.
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Premier Daniel Andrews has reminded Victorians to stay home if they are unwell.
"What I'm asking on behalf of all the Victorian families. All Victorian workers and especially those who in Victoria, if we don't pull this up, will become infected and need critical care, they will become gravely unwell and a percentage of them will pass away. For them and all of us, you just can't go to work if you've got symptoms. If we all want to be passed this, we all want to get back to COVID normal, it's an absolute must."
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial for the state as contact-tracing gets underway. State police are investigating two teenagers who avoided mandatory quarantine in Queensland after returning from Victoria.
It comes as the Premier announces the border will be shut to the entire Greater Sydney area from Saturday 1am, 1 August due to recent outbreaks of COVID-19.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. It is also mandatory to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
