Department of Health

Coronavirus update for Victoria - 17 December 2020

Victoria has recorded no new cases of coronavirus since yesterday.

17/12/20

Victoria has recorded no new cases of coronavirus since yesterday.

Victoria currently has 7 active internationally acquired cases in the state, all of which have been diagnosed in quarantine since Victoria commenced receiving international arrivals.

This is the 48th straight day where Victoria has recorded zero daily community transmission cases. There are no new deaths.

“While we'd all prefer there were no active cases, changes made to strengthen the system will ensure that we manage these cases in a way that keeps returning travellers, the workers caring for them and the Victorian community as safe as possible,” Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said.

All arrivals are tested if they show symptoms, as well as at Day 3 and Day 11 of their 14-day quarantine.

Evidence from our earlier hotel quarantine program showed that just over one in every 100 returned travelers tested positive during their quarantine period.

The likelihood of a positive case will vary depending on which country someone has arrived from, but we would expect to see at least a similar rate of positive cases being diagnosed in the coming weeks.

Prior to international travellers arriving once again in Victoria, the last new case of coronavirus in Victoria was reported on 30 October 2020. At that time there were 71 active cases in Victoria.

Victoria resumed its hotel quarantine operations on 7 December. The provision of mandatory quarantine for returned overseas travellers is overseen by COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV).

International arrivals will initially be capped at an average of 160 passengers per day, with the program to be continually assessed before a decision is made to increase the number of arrivals.

It remains vitally important that any Victorians with any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, stay home and get tested. Testing site details, including opening hours, are available at the Where to get tested page.

A total of 3,720,642 test results have been received in Victoria which is an increase of 9,477 since yesterday.

Information regarding COVID-19 is available at the Department of Health and Human Services website or by calling 1800 675 398.

Media enquiries

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

Reviewed 16 December 2020

Health.vic

Was this page helpful?