Department of Health

Coronavirus update for Victoria - 18 August 2022

18/08/22

COVID-19 Data

There are 497 COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria – with 21 active cases in ICU, including 9 on a ventilator, and an additional 6 cleared cases in ICU.

This is the first time the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital in Victoria has dropped below 500 since 3 July, this year.

6,336,703 vaccine doses have been administered by Victoria’s state-commissioned services.

69.5 per cent of Victorians aged 16 and over have had 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. 94.7 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have had 2 doses.

4,416 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded yesterday. This includes 3,232 who tested positive on a rapid antigen test and 1,184 who returned a positive result on a PCR test.

Sadly, the Department was notified of 46 deaths yesterday of people aged in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90 years and over. Of today’s reported deaths, 36 occurred in the past week, a further 8 deaths occurred in the past fortnight and 2 deaths occurred in late July.

The total number of COVID-related deaths in Victoria since the pandemic began is 5,036. The number of COVID-related deaths recorded in Victoria so far this year is 3,425.

The Victorian Department of Health regularly undertakes reviews and audits of the State’s reported deaths to ensure the accuracy of our COVID-19 mortality figures.

The Victorian Department of Health is formally notified of deaths of people known to have COVID-19 via a number of different sources, including the Victorian Death Index, Victorian Hospital Acquired Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS), the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and local public health units. The department updates its confirmed death statistics daily.

There are 25,686 active cases in Victoria. The number of active cases in Victoria continues to decline from a peak of 71,428 recorded on 23 July.

11,100 PCR tests were processed yesterday. The total number of PCR tests performed in Victoria since the pandemic began is 22,055,393.

Updates

COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments

The eligibility criteria for COVID medicines have been broadened. More information can be found at COVID-19 treatmentsExternal Link and at COVID-19MedicinesExternal Link .

Eligibility for winter doses of COVID-19 vaccines has also been broadened, and vaccination remains the most important protection against becoming seriously unwell with COVID-19.

To find a vaccination provider near you, visit Vaccine Clinic FinderExternal Link .

To access the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Victoria, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria websiteExternal Link or call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can also call the Victorian Aboriginal COVID Information Line on 1800 312 911. Callers will speak with Aboriginal staff who can answer questions about COVID-19 and direct them to relevant support services. The information line is open from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week.

Media enquiries: Department of Health Media Unit, 1300 758 551 or press@health.vic.gov.au

Reviewed 18 August 2022

Health.vic

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