Victoria reports record 25 deaths and 282 new cases

Victoria has recorded the deadliest day of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 25 fatalities and 282 new cases overnight.

The number of fatalities is the most recorded in a single day for the pandemic.

Of the 25 dead, 22 are linked to aged care facilities.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth described the 24-hour death toll as a "tragic new milestone".

The fatalities included one man in his 60s, four women and three men in their 70s, six women and four men in their 80s, and four women and three men in their 90s.

"It is a very difficult day for those families. Twenty-five families are planning a funeral. Our thoughts and prayers, best wishes, our hearts go out to them," Premier Daniel Andrews said.

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"I would again make the point that whilst many of those 25 people are much older, and they are connected with aged care, this is not just a challenge for older people, it is a challenge for all of us."

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The grim milestone brings the death toll in Victoria to 334. The previous highest daily number of deaths was 21, recorded last Wednesday.

There are 657 Victorians in hospitals, including 44 critically ill in intensive care and 32 people on ventilators.

Authorities said there are 3626 cases with an unknown source in Victoria and 1054 active cases among healthcare workers.

Victoria has extended its state of emergency for another four weeks, until Sunday September 13.

One bright spot from the latest figures is that new cases in the state continue to fall.

Mr Andrews said regional case numbers were "coming down" following the testing blitz in Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat.

Victoria's latest coronavirus outbreaks

 Active aged care outbreaks with the highest cumulative case numbers:

•             205 cases have been linked to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping

•             190 cases have been linked to St Basil's Homes for the Aged in Fawkner

•             157 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer

•             131 cases have been linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee

•             130 cases have been linked to Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth

•             107 cases have been linked to Outlook Gardens Aged Care Facility in Dandenong North

•             107 cases have been linked to Estia Aged Care Facility in Heidelberg

•             100 cases have been linked to Twin Parks Aged Care in Reservoir

•             94 cases have been linked to Arcare Aged Care Facility in Craigieburn

•             93 cases have been linked to Cumberland Manor Aged Care Facility in Sunshine

Cases linked to key outbreaks:

•             205 cases have been linked to Bertocchi Smallgoods in Thomastown

•             191 cases have been linked to Al-Taqwa College

•             146 cases have been linked to Royal Melbourne Hospital Royal Park campus

•             145 cases have been linked to JBS in Brooklyn

•             62 cases have been linked to Woolworths Distribution Centre in Mulgrave

•             53 cases have been linked to Golden Farms Poultry in Breakwater

•             33 cases have been linked to Ingham's Chicken in Thomastown

•             31 cases have been linked to Hazeldene's Chicken Farm in Bendigo

•             31 cases have been linked to the Northern Hospital Emergency Department

•             31 cases have been linked to Ausfresh in Broadmeadows

•             30 cases have been linked to Bingo Recycling in West Melbourne

The department is also investigating cases linked to Emmitt Utilities, Torque Converter Technologies, and Brunswick Private Hospital.

Support for family violence prevention

A further $20 million has been allocated to family violence prevention in Victoria.

Victorians have been reminded that they can leave home during COVID-19 restrictions if they are experiencing family violence.

"If you are experiencing family violence, if you are unsafe in your home, it is perfectly legitimate to leave," Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams said.

New cases 'trending down'

Victoria's Chief Medical Officer Brett Sutton said yesterday they are seeing stabilisation in coronavirus numbers and the "number of new cases is trending down".

Professor Sutton said the lockdown measures, mask wearing, and high testing numbers are to thank for the change but now is not the time for complacency.

"As I always reinforce, no room for complacency, but I do think it's important that people understand that the actions that they have taken, especially in recent weeks, are showing up in our numbers now," he said.

"So, people should have hope and confidence that the things that we know work are now manifesting in our daily counts," he said.

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348.