Victoria’s latest coronavirus outbreak is rapidly moving with substantial transmission in high-risk settings, according to the state’s chief health officer.

“We are neck and neck with this virus, and it is an absolute beast,” said Adjunct Professor Brett Sutton.  

He made his comments in the wake of news that a Melbourne aged-care resident and another worker tested positive for COVID-19, making a total of 11 new cases reported on Monday.

Three of the 11 new cases were linked to an outbreak at aged care home Arcare Maidstone after a female healthcare worker at the northwest Melbourne facility returned a positive result.