New cases fell sharply from Saturday's dramatic escalation to 450, but were still higher than at any other point this year. As NSW moves towards 'Freedom Day', Victoria looks set to remain in lockdown beyond October as numbers threaten to get out of control. There are also increasing fears that parts of regional Victoria could be thrown back into lockdown just a few days after they were given their freedom. While more than 70 per cent of Saturday's new cases were recorded in Melbourne's northern suburbs, there were eight new cases in regional Victoria, including five in Geelong, one in Cohuna, one in Daylesford and one in Beveridge. Most of regional Victoria except Shepparton emerged from lockdown on Friday, with retail and hospitality allowed to reopen under strict rules.

Source: The Nation September 12, 2021 00:00 UTC