Covid-19 coronavirus: Victoria records 134 new cases as lockdown looms

Police guard access to housing commission apartments under lockdown in Melbourne, Australia. Photo / AP

The Australian state of Victoria has recorded 134 new cases of Covid-19 as it braces for lockdown.

Premier Daniel Andrews urged the state to come together, saying Victorians face a "great challenge" over the next six weeks.

"I apologise for the inconvenience – the great challenge that many, many Victorian families are going to have to experience over these next six weeks," he said.

"It's not where we wanted to be. But we can't go back. We can't change those things that have got us to this point."

A woman in her 30s may have exposed health workers to coronavirus at a Sydney hospital.

The New South Wales-Victoria border is now shut, Melbourne is about to go into lockdown for the second time, and the prime minister is minutes away from speaking on the unfolding outbreak. https://t.co/wX5NVHJP2y @MelinaSarris7 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/pN2zYB1NN6

— 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) July 8, 2020

The woman, from Sydney's southwest, was the only person to test positive over the last 24 hours who wasn't a returning traveller.

Her close contacts have been identified and advised to seek testing and self-isolate.

They include health staff at Liverpool Hospital, Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said.

"Further investigations are under way to determine the timing of her infection, whether it's a historical infection or a more recent one and there are… her close contacts, including some health staff at Liverpool Hospital, are in isolation pending the outcome of those investigations," she said.

In terms of economic relief, Andrews said there would be further updates "very soon".

"We will have announcements to make very soon," he said. "It's important that we get that package of support right. And we will.

"There's been some discussions – I've had a conversation with the Prime Minister, and had a conversation today with the Federal Treasurer.

Victoria has recorded 134 new coronavirus infections, as Melbourne prepares to be locked down again. @Brett_McLeod #9News

Live updates: https://t.co/BLHeI9ix45 pic.twitter.com/QyV8GmKXdb

— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) July 8, 2020

"I note he's made a number of comments that I think all Victorians would be very reassured by, that hardship and that real need is going to continue to drive the Federal Government's policy response, just as it always has driven ours and will continue to. We'll make some announcements and we'll do that in good time."

He stressed that "significant economic damage" had been done across the globe.

"This virus is causing enormous damage to jobs, to businesses, to profits, to the state budget and, indeed, household budgets. There's no question about that," he said.

"That's why JobKeeper, JobSeeker, the payroll tax refunds that we provided, the business grants we've provided, and the next package of support that we will very soon announce, are so, so important.

"But it's also, can I say, an important reminder for all of us, that we have to get past this public health bushfire, and get back into a position where we can start to open up again, and start to repair the very significant economic damage that has been done.

"That won't be a quick process in any part of the country. It certainly won't be a quick process here."