Number of cases in regional Victoria drops, but Premier pleads for vigilance

There are 484 active cases regional Victoria, having dropped from over 500 earlier this week.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was important Victorians continued to adhere to COVID restrictions to combat growing outbreaks in bigger regional cities.

"We've got to remain vigilant on that front, particular in those big regional centres where numbers are low but have been growing," he said.

Ballarat recorded seven new cases yesterday, taking the total number of active cases to 25.

Currently, there are also 56 active cases in Bendigo.

It is important to note that these daily statewide announcements are only being separated by two areas - metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Horsham has not recorded a new case since July 26, though three active cases remain.

As reported earlier, the state reported 303 new cases today.

Sadly, though, another four families are mourning.

Included in the deaths are one woman and two men in their 80s and one woman in her 90s. Two of those deaths are linked to aged care outbreaks.

The total death toll now sits at 293.

IN OTHER NEWS:

There are now 7875 active cases statewide - 3383 of which are "mystery cases", where the source of infection is not known.

661 Victorians are in hospital, of which 41 are receiving intensive care and 28 are on a ventilator.

2938 cases are linked to aged care settings and 1178 are healthcare workers.

Mr Andrews said Victorians could thank healthcare workers by adhering to COVID restrictions.

"Our health workers are getting this virus and one of the ways that we can have more healthcare workers healthy is to make sure we all follow the rules. I'm very very proud and I want to congratulate the growing number of Victorians who are doing the right thing," he said.

"The ultimate motivation is to make sure our health heroes are not put in more danger. That's a powerful way to say thank you.

"We're seeing the best of Victorians at the moment. We are staying apart at the moment, but we're unified. We're strong."

No new COVID-19 cases were reported across the Wimmera yesterday.

There are three active cases in Horsham and two active cases in West Wimmera.

One active case remains in the Northern Grampians Shire.

No active cases have been reported in Ararat, or the Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack shires.

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