Coronavirus update for Victoria - 1 July 2020

The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 2231 with 73 new cases reported yesterday.

The overall total has increased by 72, with one case reclassified.

Within Victoria, nine new cases are linked to outbreaks, 19 new cases have been identified through routine testing and 42 cases are under investigation. Three new cases have been detected in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

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

There have been 301 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that have been acquired through unknown transmission. There are currently 370 active cases in Victoria.

Currently, 15 people with coronavirus infection are in hospital, including two patients in intensive care. 1839 people have recovered from the virus.

Of the total 2231 cases, there have been 1890 in metropolitan Melbourne and 252 in regional Victoria. The total number of cases is made up of 1173 men and 1055 women. More than 830,000 tests have been processed to date.

The new cases linked to outbreaks are:

• Five additional staff members have been linked to the outbreak at Al Taqwa College, taking the total to eight staff at the school. Extensive contact tracing is under way and appropriate testing will be undertaken. The cases are linked to previous outbreaks in Sunshine West and Truganina.
• Two new cases are part of the Stamford Plaza outbreak, taking the total to 31. One is a security guard in quarantine and the other is a household contact of a confirmed case. All cases were close contacts tested while in quarantine.
• A new case has been linked to the North Melbourne outbreak, which now totals 30. The case was tested while in quarantine.
• A new case has been linked to the outbreak at the Coles Chilled Distribution Centre in Laverton, taking the total to six. The outbreak squad has visited the site, which has undergone a deep clean. Further contact tracing is under way and close contacts will need to quarantine.

In other cases:

• Three new positive cases are linked to cases associated with Hugo Boss in Collins Street, Melbourne. The store has been cleaned and further contact tracing is under way.
• A healthcare worker at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital has tested positive. Appropriate cleaning and contact tracing are under way.
• A healthcare worker at Epworth has tested positive. The Department is working with Epworth to ensure all close contacts are identified.
• A staff member at SBS Radio has tested positive. The staff member attended work while infectious. Contact tracing is under way and close contacts will be required to quarantine.
• Students at three new schools have tested positive: Hoppers Crossing Secondary School, Creekside College in Caroline Springs and Aitken Creek Primary in Craigieburn. A staff member has tested positive at Westbreen Primary School in Pascoe Vale. Cleaning of relevant classrooms and common areas at all schools will be undertaken and contact tracing is under way.
• Two positive cases have been identified at the Maple Early Learning Centre in Mernda. The centre will close for cleaning and contact tracing is under way.

This is the fifteenth consecutive day of double-digit case growth in Victoria, with a continuing and concerning number of new cases associated with transmission in households and families.

The Victorian Government has announced targeted restrictions for a number of Melbourne suburbs in 10 postcodes that have experienced a spike in positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. The restricted postcodes are 3012, 3021, 3032, 3038, 3042, 3046, 3047, 3055, 3060 and 3064.

From 11.59pm tonight, these postcodes must follow 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, care and caregiving, 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.

“We have made some great progress in slowing the spread of coronavirus, but we are still seeing new cases in the community.

“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.

Table of confirmed cases by LGA 01/07/2020: