Victorian dies of COVID-19 as school debate rages

Victoria's COVID-19 death toll has climbed to 18 after an elderly woman died from the virus yesterday.

Jobs Minister Martin Pakula today announced in a press conference the woman in her 80s died in hospital.

"Sadly a woman in her 80s died in hospital yesterday," he said.

It comes as Victoria recorded three new cases of coronavirus, taking the state's total to 1354 cases.

There are 18 people in hospital - a decrease of five from yesterday, including nine patients in intensive care.

Mr Pakula said the state aimed to have 12 mobile COVID-19 testing sites in operation by Sunday, as part of the mass testing scheme of 100,000 people tested in two weeks.

The first four mobile testing sites have been opened at major Melbourne shopping centres, including Chadstone, Highpoint, Doncaster and Northland.

War over Victorian schools

Victorian Education Minister James Merlino has slammed the Federal Government for offering a $3.3 billion payment to private schools as an incentive to get students back into classrooms within a month.

Mr Merlino stood firm on the message that Victorian students should continue to learn from home during Term 2.

"We have a testing blitz happening right now. Now is not the time to change the course we are on," he said.

"We have the federal government forcing non-government schools to choose between money - school funding - or following the advice of the experts in Victoria, advice that is making a difference. I am a very disappointed in the decision that has been made by the federal government.

"I feel for non-government schools. I can tell you my understanding is Independent Schools Victoria ... is unimpressed with the tactics of the federal government."



Source: https://ift.tt/3eZQeJP

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