Victoria's health system under 'significant pressure'

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says there is “significant pressure” on the state’s health system as the state records 37,994 new COVID-19 infections.

“There were 3,992 health – the hospital staff – not available to work because they were either COVID-19 cases or close contacts of cases,” Mr Andrews said.

“There were a further 422 Ambulance Victoria staff unable to work as well. That’s at least 4,500.

“They’re self-reporting numbers. I expect that number to be in fact higher and that does put great pressure on our system.

“It’s not a matter of money or machines, they don’t treat people anyway, it’s qualified staff, people who provide healthcare to other people, and our staff, because we’ve got so many cases in the Victorian community, this is so wildly infectious, like any group in the community, there’s a significant number of people who are getting this, have already got it, and others isolating because they live in households with those health care workers.”