Coronavirus update for Victoria - 07 May 2020

The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1,454 – an increase of 14 since yesterday.

There were no new deaths reported yesterday. To date, 18 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria. Victoria’s last recorded COVID-19 death was on 28 April.

The total number of cases is made up of 770 men and 684 women, with people aged from babies to their early nineties.

There are 153 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission. Currently 8 people are in hospital, including 6 patients in intensive care. 1,322 people have recovered.

Of the total 1,454 cases, there have been 1,196 in metropolitan Melbourne and 219 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation.

More than 176,500 tests have been completed with many more samples still being processed as part of Victoria’s testing blitz.

The new confirmed cases include 13 new cases of COVID-19 at a Melbourne meat processing facility, taking the total number of cases in this cluster to 62. The department is working closely with the company, which agreed to close their facility for 14 days as a precaution to ensure all required steps are taken - including thorough contact tracing, identifying all close contacts, widespread testing and precautionary cleaning.

All staff have been tested or are in the process of being tested. All staff are being provided with further information about potential exposure to coronavirus in the workplace, symptoms and quarantine requirements.

“Today’s increase in cases illustrates once again that while we have been flattening the curve, our battle against COVID-19 is far from over,” said Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton.

“Victorians have done a remarkable job so far sticking to the coronavirus restrictions and staying at home has saved lives. But now is not the time for complacency.”

“A record number of Victorians will be tested for coronavirus during these two weeks as part of a major testing blitz across the state,” Professor Sutton said.

“The main aim of this increase in testing is to improve access and actively search for cases, allowing us to gain a better picture of this virus and make informed decisions for Victoria.

“We are asking Victorians to again play their part and get tested if they have symptoms, because the more tests we do, the more data we have about the prevalence of coronavirus in the community.

“People with common symptoms of coronavirus including fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell – however mild – are encouraged to get tested.”

There are only four reasons for Victorians to leave their home: food and supplies, medical care and care giving, exercise, and work or education.

From today the Department will begin publicly reporting active cases by local government area to further enhance transparency.

It is important to understand these cases are recorded according to the address provided at the time of testing and may not reflect where the case currently resides or where they were infected. There may also be cases in the community that have yet to be detected, which is why it is so important to get tested if you have any symptoms consistent with COVID 19 such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath.

Media inquiries

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

Cases by Local Government Areas

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.

Today’s Local Government Area table includes a new column that 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.