Coronavirus Update for Victoria

(From Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Professor Brett Sutton, on Sunday, July 19).

Victoria has recorded 363 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, with the total number of cases now at 5696.

The overall total has increased by 343, after 20 cases were reclassified – largely due to duplication.

Within Victoria, 36 of the new cases are linked to outbreaks or complex cases and 327 are under investigation. There were no cases in returned travelers in hotel quarantine.

Three new deaths have been reported since yesterday: two men in their 90s and a woman in her 90s. To date, 38 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.

In Victoria at the current time:

• 1028 cases may indicate community transmission.
• 2837 cases are currently active in Victoria.
• 130 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 28 in intensive care.
• 2819 people have recovered from the virus.
• Of the total cases, 5233 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 336 are from regional Victoria.
• Total cases include 2967 men and 2697 women.
• More than 1,305,000 tests have been processed.
• Total number of healthcare workers: 418, active cases: 166 (of which the vast majority were acquired in the community).

Public Housing Link

Cases currently linked to public housing in North Melbourne, Flemington and Carlton are as follows:

• 287 cases are residents of various public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington. Investigations are continuing into how these cases are linked.
• 54 cases are residents of various public housing towers in Carlton. Investigations are continuing into if and/or how these cases are linked.
• Cases currently linked to key outbreaks are as follows:
• 169 cases have been linked to Al-Taqwa College.
• 53 cases have been linked to Somerville Retail Services in Tottenham.
• 35 cases have been linked to JBS in Brooklyn.
• 6 cases have been linked to Australian Lamb Company in Colac.
• 3 cases have been linked to Australian Pharmaceuticals Industries in Dandenong.
• 3 cases have been linked to Dairy Country in Tullamarine.
• 6 cases have been linked to Goodman Fielder Pampas in West Footscray.
• 6 cases have been linked to Warringal Hospital Heidelberg.
• 10 cases have been linked to St Basil’s Home for the Aged in Fawkner.
• 38 cases have been linked to Estia Health in Ardeer.
• 24 cases have been linked to Glendale Aged Care facility in Werribee.
• 12 cases have been linked to Embracia Aged Care Moonee Valley in Avondale Heights.
• 4 cases have been linked to Japara Central Park Aged Care in Windsor.

Three new nursing homes have reported cases, with single cases now linked to Bluecross Ruckers Hill in Northcote, Villa Maria Catholic Homes in Alphington and Japara Highbury in Glen Waverley.

As interviews are undertaken throughout the day, these outbreak totals are likely to change as the public health team identify links between cases and identified outbreaks.

Face Coverings
People living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will be required to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four reasons.  To give people time to purchase or make a face covering, this new rule won’t be enforced until after 11.59 p.m. on Wednesday 22 July.

There will be some reasons not to wear a face covering. For example, those who have a medical reason, kids under 12 years of age, those who have a professional reason or if it’s just not practical – like when running.

Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions are in force across metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.

These restrictions have become necessary because of the sharp increase in cases. 

If you live in these areas, there are only four reasons to leave your home: shopping for food and essential items; care and caregiving; daily exercise; and work and study – if you can’t do it from home.

These are tough measures, but this virus is not selective – it will impact anyone it encounters, and personal contact is the clear source of its transmission. We need everyone to do their part and ensure it is stopped in its tracks.