Coronavirus update for Victoria - 21 May 2020

The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1581 – a net increase of one since yesterday. 

There were no new deaths reported. To date, 18 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria. 

There have been 168 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission. 

Currently 10 people are in hospital, including five patients in intensive care. 1473 people have recovered. 

Of the total 1581 cases, there have been 1310 in metropolitan Melbourne and 232 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation. The total number of cases is made up of 835 men and 746 women. 

More than 378,000 tests have been processed to date. The per capita testing rate in Victoria is the highest in Australia now reaching 5,712 per 100,000 people since 1 January.  

There are four new cases since yesterday – three are household contacts linked to the Cedar Meats outbreak, taking the total number of cases in this outbreak to 106, made up of 64 staff and 42 external to the facility. The fourth new case is under investigation.  

However, three cases have been removed from Victoria’s total, meaning the net increase was just one. Two were reclassified due to duplication and one case was transferred interstate.  

There were no new cases related to outbreaks at aged care facilities. There were no further cases linked to the McDonald’s Fawkner outbreak, with the total number of cases in that outbreak remaining at 12.  

“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. 

“Restrictions around some activities have now been eased in Victoria in recognition of the current low rate of community transmission of this virus. 

“While encouraging, we need to remain vigilant. We must maintain physical distancing, practice hygiene and self-isolation when ill. These are common sense actions to ensure we don’t create a second wave of this serious disease, as we have seen in other countries once they have eased their stringent regulations. 

“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. 

“We are also asking Victorians to continue this amazing effort and get tested if they have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, because the more tests we do, the more data we have about the prevalence of coronavirus in the community. 

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

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.