Coronavirus update for Victoria - 02 June 2020

The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1,663 – an increase of 10 since yesterday.

There have been no new deaths reported. To date, 19 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.

There have been 169 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that have been acquired through unknown transmission.

Currently nine people are in hospital, including two patients in intensive care. 1,563 people have recovered.

Of the total 1,663 cases, there have been 1,382 in metropolitan Melbourne and 234 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation. The total number of cases are made up of 879 men and 784 women. More than 521,000 tests have been processed to date.

Four new cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the outbreak at quarantine hotel Rydges on Swanston in Melbourne, bringing the total for this outbreak to 12. The new cases are all close contacts of existing cases.

As a result of this outbreak the returned travellers have been relocated to another hotel to ensure they can be looked after safely and comfortably. This action was taken because most staff and contractors working at the hotel have been required to self-isolate.

A further clean of the hotel has been undertaken with all travellers relocated. A full investigation is underway to review all possible causes of transmission within the hotel, including looking into links between affected staff and contractors.

All necessary precautions for infection control, including appropriate staffing and PPE, was taken when relocating the returned travellers.

One of the new cases has been linked to a staff member at Embracia Aged Care in Reservoir. The facility has been advised and all staff and visitors considered as close contacts will be placed into quarantine.

The department will today coordinate testing of all staff and residents at the facility. The department will also support the facility in relation to cleaning, restricting transfers and new admissions, having separate staff work in separate areas and having appropriate ongoing monitoring of all staff and residents.

A new case has also been detected in a staff member at Macleod Preschool in Macleod who attended community testing after displaying symptoms. The source of transmission for this case is under investigation.

Close contacts of the staff member, including some colleagues and a number of children associated with the preschool, will be contacted and placed into quarantine. The preschool has been closed for at least today so a deep clean can be undertaken, alongside contact tracing, isolation, quarantine and disinfection.

Yesterday’s four remaining cases were identified through community testing. There are no new cases linked to any other known outbreaks, including the Keilor Downs family outbreak.

“Thanks to Victorians playing their part, staying at home and getting tested - we have made some great progress in slowing the spread of coronavirus,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said.

“Our low rate of community transmission means we have been able to ease some restrictions.

“You can have up to 20 people in your home or in a public place. Restaurants, cafes and pubs can have up to 20 customers dine in, and businesses such as beauty therapists can see clients again.

“Although it’s tempting to rush out and book that weekend away or have your friends over, it is important that we use our common sense. In all your activities, be considered, be cautious and stay safe. And if you don’t have to do it – don’t.

“We need to continue to follow physical distancing rules and practice good hygiene – wash your hands regularly and cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.

“If you can keep working from home – you must keep working from home. By doing the right thing, we can continue to keep one another safe.

“And If you do feel unwell with any symptoms of coronavirus you should get tested. This includes fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell.”

Media inquiries:

Department of Health & Human Services Media Unit (03) 9096 8860 or press@dhhs.vic.gov.au

Cases by Local Government Area

Please find the latest COVID-19 notifications by local government areas below.

Note:

• Residential location is the residential address provided when the case is notified.
• This is not where they were infected and may not be where the case currently resides.
• Numbers are correct as of 11.59pm last night but are subject to change as cases are followed up and data is analysed.
• The last column shows the number of current active cases in an LGA. Active cases are defined as someone who has tested positive, is currently in isolation and being monitored by the Department and who has not yet recovered.