Coronavirus update for Victoria - 29 May 2020

The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1634 – a net increase of six since yesterday.

There have been no new deaths reported. To date, 19 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.

There have been 166 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that may have been acquired through unknown transmission.

Currently seven people are in hospital, including two patients in intensive care. 1549 people have recovered.

Of the total 1634 cases, there have been 1354 in metropolitan Melbourne and 233 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation. The total number of cases includes 862 men and 768 women. More than 493,000 tests have been processed to date.

There are seven new cases since yesterday – one case was removed from the overall total due to reclassification.

A student at Keilor Downs College ;is among the positive cases, as is one of their family members. The student was at school on Tuesday 26 May, when they were likely infectious.

The school is closed today to facilitate a deep clean of affected classrooms and common areas. Any close contacts of the student will be required to isolate for 14 days from their last exposure to the case. Close contacts will be asked to closely monitor their health for any symptoms.

One student at St Albans Secondary College and six students at Taylors Lakes Secondary College have been identified as being in close contact with the student who tested positive for coronavirus. These students took part in a class at Keilor Downs Secondary College. These students are self-isolating.

The department has linked the source of infection in the student to a family cluster. There is no evidence of a link between the staff member who has previouslytested positive for coronavirus and this student. The staff member was not infectious when they last attended the school.

Of yesterday’s other cases, two were detected in returned travellers in hotel quarantine, two cases were identified as part of routine testing, and two cases are under investigation. There were no new cases linked to Rydges on Swanston in Melbourne or any other known outbreaks.

“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. It is increasingly important that we stay at home when unwell and get tested, wash our hands regularly, sneeze and cough into our elbow and maintain physical distancing. 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.

“Similarly, if you can work from home, you should continue to do so until at least the end of June.

“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 enquiries

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.