Coronavirus update for Victoria - 23 May 2020

The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1,602 – a net increase of nine since yesterday.

There has been one new death reported, who is a man in his 60s who died in hospital. To date, 19 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.

There have been 171 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission.

Currently nine people are in hospital, including three patients in intensive care. 1,484 people have recovered.

Of the total 1,602 cases, there have been 1,330 in metropolitan Melbourne and 232 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation. The total number of cases is made up of 846 men and 756 women. More than 398,500 tests have been processed to date.

There have been 10 new cases since yesterday. However, one case has been removed from Victoria’s total due to reclassification, meaning the net increase is nine.

Of the new cases, four cases were detected in returned travellers in hotel quarantine, three cases were detected through community testing, and three other cases remain under investigation.

None of the new cases are linked to the Cedar Meats outbreak. The total number of cases in this outbreak remains at 111, made up of 67 staff and 44 people external to the facility.

There were no new cases related to outbreaks at aged care facilities. There were also 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.