Coronavirus update for Victoria - 1 March 2021

Victoria has recorded no new cases of coronavirus since yesterday.

This is the third day in a row that Victoria has recorded no new cases of COVID-19.

The total number of COVID-19 cases now linked to the Holiday Inn remains at 24.

There are 11 active cases in Victoria, made up of 10 locally acquired cases, a decrease of one since yesterday, and one overseas acquired case, a decrease of three since yesterday. There are four cases in hotel quarantine.

There are two COVID-19 patients in hospital in Victoria.

The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,481.

Update: Vaccinations

A total of 100 COVID-19 vaccination doses were administered yesterday at hospital vaccination hubs across Victoria.

This brings the total number of vaccine doses administered in Victoria since the program started on Monday 22 February to 3862.

The vaccines are being administered through hospital vaccination hubs managed by public health services. Hubs also manage several special outreach sites including at Melbourne Airport and the Port of Portland.

From today, vaccinations have commenced from the Bendigo and Ballarat hubs. These hubs will focus on public sector residential aged care residents throughout this week.

Update: Viral fragments detected in Werribee area wastewater

Residents and recent visitors to Tarneit, Werribee and Hoppers Crossing with even mild COVID-19 symptoms are urged to get tested after viral fragments were detected in the inlet to the Werribee wastewater treatment plant.

Viral fragments were found in a wastewater sample collected on 25 February with no known people in the area who have recently had COVID-19. Independent testing confirmed the result this afternoon.

Anyone who has any symptoms of COVID-19 is urged to get tested, especially if you live in or have visited these areas from 23 February 2021.

Residents of and recent visitors to Lilydale, Chirnside Park, Coldstream, Kalorama, Olinda, Montrose, Mt Dandenong, Mt Evelyn, Yarra Glen and Yering with even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms are urged to get tested after viral fragments were detected in the inlet to the Lilydale wastewater treatment plant.

Viral fragments were found in a wastewater sample collected on 25 February with no known people in the area who have recently had COVID-19.

Anyone who has any symptoms of COVID-19 is urged to get tested, especially if you live in or have visited these areas from 23 February 2021.

Expanded testing sites have been established in Lilydale and surrounding areas. Some of these sites are experiencing high volumes of people requesting testing today.

The Department is publishing expected wait times at testing sites as well as updated information about locations and hours of operation at Where to get tested.

On Saturday, we announced a weak detection of viral fragments in a wastewater sample from Melbourne’s outer west had been collected on 22 February.

The catchment includes some or all of Taylors Hill, Plumpton, Hillside, Sydenham, Delahey, Caroline Springs, Burnside Heights, Kings Park, Albanvale, Burnside and Deer Park.

Anyone who has been in these suburbs and has any symptoms of COVID-19 especially from 20 to 22 February is urged to get tested.

Wastewater monitoring is now undertaken at 142 locations across Victoria including 71 wastewater treatment plants and 71 sites within Melbourne metropolitan sewage networks.

Fragments of the virus detected in wastewater may be due to a person with COVID-19 being in the early active infectious phase or it could be because someone is continuing to shed the virus after the early infectious period.

Further information about the wastewater testing program at Wastewater monitoring.

Update: Arrivals from Auckland, New Zealand

Our management of New Zealand arrivals doesn’t change, as we had already restricted travel and put in place mandatory 14-day quarantine.

As of 11.59pm on Wednesday 24 February all flights arriving from Auckland into Victoria were regarded as ‘red zone’ arrivals and anyone who arrived was required to enter mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days.

All flights into Victoria from New Zealand have been cancelled until after 6 March.

General advice

Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and loss or change in sense of smell or taste. If you are experiencing any symptoms, wear a fitted face mask when you get tested.

All current exposure sites can be seen at Case locations and outbreaks.

Travel permit applications can be made through the Service Victoria portal.

For more information call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398 or visit Coronavirus Victoria.

Latest statewide numbers (data reported to 11:59 pm yesterday):