Victoria has recorded its first deaths of First Nations people with COVID-19.
Two Aboriginal Victorians are among seven people who died from the virus in the past 24 hours.
A 68-year-old woman with COVID passed away from an underlying condition.
The second Aboriginal death was a 73-year-old man with other health conditions.
Health authorities did not disclose their vaccination status.
“The Victorian Government extends its sincere condolences to their families, loved ones and the broader Aboriginal community at this difficult time,” the Department of Health said in a statement.
“The Victorian Government will continue to work in close partnership with the Aboriginal community-controlled sector to support Aboriginal communities during the pandemic.”
Between 77.3 and 86.5 per cent of First Nations people over the age of 15 are fully vaccinated in Victoria.
While these figures are higher than the national average for Indigenous Australians, they are lower than the statewide average.
Just over 90 per cent of Victorians have received their second dose of a vaccine.
