Coronavirus crisis: Victoria confirms record 21 deaths, 410 new COVID-19 cases

Another 21 people have died and 410 Victorians have contracted coronavirus.

The record number of deaths, tweeted by the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, takes the State toll to 267 and the national toll to 352.

The ages and genders of those who have succumbed to the virus will be detailed later on Wednesday.

The previous daily death record was 19, which occurred on both Monday and Tuesday.

Victorian authorities had warned deaths would continue to rise given the number of people in hospital with the virus.

As of Tuesday, 650 people were in hospital and 43 of those in intensive care.

Premier Daniel Andrews was grilled over his government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic at the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee’s COVID-19 Inquiry on Tuesday.

The failed scheme is believed to be responsible for the state’s second wave of COVID-19 which has taken Victoria’s death toll to 246 and led to the nation’s toughest lockdown.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the Australian Defence Force hadn’t been offered to guard the hotels at the time the program was introduced, despite reports to the contrary.

But federal Defence Minister Linda Reynolds insists ADF support was offered to Victoria “on multiple occasions”.

Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien accused the premier of lying to parliament and Victorians, labelling his comments a “dishonest attempt to cover up” the scandal.