Victoria has recorded no new cases of coronavirus since yesterday.
This is the 25th consecutive day where Victoria has recorded no new locally acquired cases of coronavirus.
The number of active cases in Victoria is 20, made up of zero locally acquired cases and 20 cases in returned travelers in hotel quarantine, a decrease of three since yesterday.
The Department of Health and Human Services is aware of the situation in Western Australia and the Victorian Chief Health Officer and public health officials are meeting now to determine next steps.
Investigations and re-testing have been undertaken on an indeterminate COVID-19 test result detected late last night in a man aged in his 30s.
The case received a weak positive test result last night which followed a negative test taken two days earlier.
Out of an abundance of caution, public health actions have been taken, including isolating and testing all close contacts of the case.
Initial repeat follow-up tests of the case and those of close contacts are negative but further investigations are ongoing.
As reported yesterday, viral fragments of COVID-19 have been detected in wastewater samples taken on 27 January from Castlemaine, Cowes and Pakenham.
Anyone who lives in or has visited these areas from 25 to 27 January is urged to get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) if they have any symptoms, however mild.
Weak detections of the virus at each of these locations have been confirmed by further analysis. They may be due to an active infectious case or to people who have recovered from COVID-19 continuing to shed the virus.
Viral fragments were also recently detected in wastewater in Gisborne, Hamilton and Leongatha. People who were in Gisborne from 24 to 26 January, Hamilton from 25 to 27 January or Leongatha from 17 to 19 January, are urged to get tested if they have any symptoms.
Wastewater samples are taken at least weekly from 95 wastewater monitoring locations across Victoria, including 70 wastewater treatment plants, for early-warning of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Victoria’s ‘traffic light’ travel permit system is still in force.
This ‘traffic light’ system allows all residents and travelers wishing to enter Victoria from anywhere across Australia to apply for a permit via the Service Victoria online portal. It takes less than five minutes to complete a permit application which is processed automatically.
Since the portal went live on 11 January, 453,034 permits have been issued. In the past 24 hours, 15,574 applications have been processed – an average of 10.8 permits issued each minute.
Applications can be made through the Service Victoria portal at Service Victoria .
Yesterday 10,681 tests were processed, bringing the overall testing total in Victoria since the pandemic began to 4,457,139.
Coronavirus (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 any symptoms, wear a fitted face mask when you get tested.
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 page.
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 30 January 2021