Coronavirus update for Victoria – 19 June 2021

Victoria was notified of three new cases of COVID-19 yesterday.

One is a locally acquired case and is a household primary close contact of a positive case linked to the Arcare Maidstone aged care facility.

The other two cases are in returned international travellers in hotel quarantine. They are a woman aged in her 20s and a child. They are separate cases and not related.

There were six COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria yesterday. One case is in intensive care.

There are 51 active cases in Victoria – 34 are locally acquired and 17 are overseas acquired cases.

The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,683.

Update: Outbreaks

The new locally acquired case is a household contact of a known positive case linked to the Arcare Maidstone aged care facility.

The new case has been in quarantine throughout their infectious period and there are no new exposure sites or public health risks identified.

The case had an initial negative test result at the start of their quarantine period but tested positive yesterday on a Day 13 swab.

The total number of cases linked to the Arcare outbreak now stands at 13.

Good progress has been made across all outbreaks to clear thousands of primary close contacts that have been identified.

Testing continues for the remaining primary close contacts with the majority of tests across all outbreaks delivering negative results.

While recent new cases of COVID-19 have been linked to known positive cases and restrictions have been eased, it is important for people to understand that the virus is still out in the Victorian community.

At midday today, there were still more than 120 active exposure sites in Victoria. The full list of Victorian exposure sites can be seen at Case alerts – public exposure sites.

Anyone who has symptoms or who has visited an exposure site at the listed dates and times, must isolate and get tested. Only through extensive testing can we be certain we are rapidly identifying all COVID-19 cases in Victoria.

The Department also manages a number of exposure sites that it doesn't publish online, particularly if these sites represent lower-risk exposures, if they have comprehensive record-keeping and contact tracing measures in place, or if they identify small, private locations.

Exposure sites are regularly reviewed based on intelligence and evidence, following case interviews.

Update: New South Wales travel permit zone

Victorian public health authorities continue to closely monitor the developing COVID-19 situation in NSW.

The Chief Health Officer made the decision on Thursday evening to designate the NSW Local Government Areas of City of Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra as orange zones under Victoria's travel permit system from 11 June.

Permit checks are now in place at our airports, including at Bendigo and Mildura airports. Passengers boarding aircraft need to have the correct permits in place prior to departure.

If you are from those areas in New South Wales, visit the Service Victoria website and obtain an orange zone permit before travelling. You'll be asked to isolate and get tested upon arrival and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.

NSW visitors from those areas who have landed in Victoria since 11 June are being contacted by Victoria's public health team.

NSW Health has published a list of exposure sites online at Latest COVID-19 case locations and alerts in NSW. If you are in Victoria and have been to these locations, follow the listed advice and contact us at 1300 651 160.

All arrivals into Victoria must apply for a travel permit at Service Victoria, even if you are in a green zone. For more information about Victoria's travel permit system, visit Victorian Travel Permit System.

Update: Vaccinations

Yesterday 17,800 vaccine doses were administered by Victoria's state-commissioned services.

This brings the total number of vaccine doses administered at state-commissioned services to 886,507.

There is strong demand for eligible Victorians to be vaccinated and protected against COVID-19. More than 1.83 million doses have been administered across state, general practice and Commonwealth programs in Victoria.

So far, 27 per cent of Victorians aged 40-49, 45 per cent of those aged 50-69 and 65% of those aged 70 years and over have now received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Victoria's online booking system is now live at Book your vaccine appointment

Everyone who has received their first vaccine dose can and should come forward for their second dose, there is no shortage of vaccines for second doses. Individuals due for their second dose of Pfizer (three to six weeks after their first dose) are encouraged to book online today or call the coronavirus hotline.

Individuals due for their second dose of AstraZeneca can also walk-up to most sites without a booking. Check the website for walk-up sites and wait times.

If you have had a first dose of AstraZeneca with no adverse effects, the clear advice is for you to have a second dose of AstraZeneca at 12 weeks. This is safe and recommended by ATAGI.

The full list of state-commissioned vaccination centres, their opening times, and walk-in guidance, is available at Vaccination centres.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) released a statement on Thursday advising that the Pfizer vaccine is preferred over the AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged under 60 years.

In line with ATAGI's recommendations, any person aged 60 years and over will continue to be offered the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at state vaccination centres.

Update: Testing

The total number of COVID-19 tests processed in Victoria since the pandemic began surpassed seven million yesterday.

Victoria's strong testing numbers continued yesterday with 30,843 tests processed.

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

Update: Eased restrictions

From 11.59pm on Thursday night, Victoria's restrictions were further eased on the advice of the Chief Health Officer.

More information can be found at Statement From The Acting Premier.

General advice

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 symptoms, wear a fitted face mask when you get tested.

For more information call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398 or visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria

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