Coronavirus update for Victoria - 05 July 2020

The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 2536 with 74 new cases reported yesterday.

The overall total has increased by 67, with seven cases reclassified.

Within Victoria, 16 new cases are linked to outbreaks, four new cases have been identified through routine testing and 53 cases are under investigation. One new case has been detected in a returned traveller in hotel quarantine.

There have been no new deaths reported. To date, 20 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.

There have been 401 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that have been acquired through unknown transmission. There are currently 543 active cases in Victoria.

Currently, 26 people with coronavirus infection are in hospital, including three patients in intensive care. 1971 people have recovered from the virus.

Of the total 2536 cases, there have been 2189 in metropolitan Melbourne and 258 in regional Victoria. The total number of cases is made up of 1336 men and 1184 women. More than 928,100 tests have been processed to date.

Of the new cases which have already been linked to outbreaks, the breakdown is as follows.

• Two new cases linked to the Stamford Plaza outbreak, one household contact and one contracted security guard who was already in quarantine, taking the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to 42.
• One new case linked to the Truganina family outbreak, a close contact of a known case, taking the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to 14.
• Eight new cases linked to the Al-Taqwa College outbreak, all previously identified close contacts. We have also linked some existing cases, taking the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to 59.
• One new case and one case previously under investigation have been linked to the Flemington public housing outbreak, taking the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to 14.
• Two new cases linked to the Roxburgh Park outbreak, two close contacts of a known case, taking the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to 28.
• As referred to yesterday, two new healthcare worker cases linked to the Northern Hospital Epping Emergency Department, taking the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to five.

Two cases which were previously under investigation have also been linked to the North Melbourne public housing outbreak, taking the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to 13.

Other new cases of note:

• One new case in a healthcare worker at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, a close contact of a known case who was already in quarantine.
• One new case of a healthcare worker at Royal Melbourne Hospital. It’s believed the worker attended the site for one day while infectious and so far, the Department is not aware of any contact with patients. The contact tracing process is underway.

With two separate outbreaks in public housing towers the Victorian Government yesterday announced new measures to slow the spread of the virus amongst these communities.

The nine towers involved are now closed and residents are required to stay in their homes at all times. This will be in place for at least five days to ensure we can test every single resident. The lifting of this restriction will be determined by our success in testing and tracking this virus.

On the advice of our health experts, the number of hotspot postcodes was expanded yesterday to include 3031 and 3051. This is now in effect.

This is in addition to previously announced restricted postcodes - 3012, 3021, 3032, 3038, 3042, 3046, 3047, 3055, 3060 and 3064.

These postcodes must follow the Stay at Home directions until 29 July 2020.

People who live in these restricted postcodes are only allowed to go out for four reasons: shopping for food and supplies, medical care and caregiving – including to be tested for COVID-19, exercise and study or work – if unable to work or study from home.

For people living outside these restricted postcodes, there are only four reasons to go into those postcodes: shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise and study or work.

People who live in these postcodes cannot have visitors to their home, or visit other homes, except for caregiving or compassionate reasons, or receiving services.

Businesses and facilities in these postcodes that have reopened will again be restricted. Cafes and restaurants will only be able to open for take-away and delivery services.

“Victorians in these locked down suburbs are being urged to do their bit in the fight against coronavirus – stick to the rules and get to a testing station,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said.

“This virus is not selective, it will impact anyone it encounters, and personal contact is the clear source of its transmission. More than 300,000 people live across these suburbs. We need everyone to do their part and ensure it is stopped in its tracks.

“There is no excuse for not getting tested. We have people knocking on your door, coming to your neighbourhood – we are bringing the testing to you. There are also several drive-through and fixed sites where people can go.

“And no matter where you live, it remains critical to practice good hygiene in and outside the home – wash your hands regularly, cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and try to avoid touching your face,

“Stay 1.5 metres away from anyone you don’t live with and avoid crowds, especially indoors. If you can keep working from home – you must keep working from home.

“Don’t take this disease lightly. if you feel unwell with any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you should stay home and get tested.

“If you have any fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste - stay home, don’t go in to work and don’t visit friends and family. Get tested and stay at home until you get the result.”

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.

Confirmed cases by LGA 05/07/2020