There have been 260 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that have been acquired through unknown transmission. There are currently 204 active cases in Victoria.

Currently, five people with coronavirus infection are in hospital, including one patient in intensive care. 1,761 people have recovered from the virus.

Of the total 1,987 cases, there have been 1,660 in metropolitan Melbourne and 246 in regional Victoria. Only 5 have been seen in South Gippsland and those were resolved weeks back with no new cases since that time. 

Of the new cases relating to outbreaks, all but one are existing close contacts of known cases. These new cases are linked to the Wollert outbreak, the North Melbourne Family outbreak, the Albanvale Primary School outbreak and the Stamford Plaza outbreak. Relevant public health actions, including contact tracing are underway.

A new case has also been linked to the Keilor Downs family cluster, with a third staff member from the Coles distribution facility in Laverton testing positive overnight. The department is working closely with Coles to continue to identify close contacts and implement stringent public health actions. Several precautionary measures have already been taken on site, while extensive testing of staff members is already underway.

The Victorian Government yesterday launched a targeted blitz across ten priority suburbs with a team of 800 testers to zero-in on community transmission with a fleet of mobile vans. Over the next 10 days, residents of these suburbs will receive free testing – with or without symptoms.

On the advice of the Chief Health Officer, priority suburbs include Keilor Downs, Broadmeadows, Maidstone, Albanvale, Sunshine West, Hallam, Brunswick West, Fawkner, Reservoir and Pakenham, with Keillor Downs and Broadmeadows identified as the top two and current focus of testing.

“It remains critical to practice good hygiene in and outside the home – wash your hands regularly, cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and try to avoid touching your face,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said.

“Stay 1.5 metres away from anyone you don’t live with and avoid crowds, especially indoors. If you can keep working from home – you must keep working from home.

“We have made some great progress in slowing the spread of coronavirus, but we are still seeing new cases in the community.

“This is the eleventh consecutive day of double-digit case growth in Victoria, with a continuing and concerning number of new cases associated with transmission in households and families

“We have launched a targeted testing blitz across ten priority suburbs and encourage locals in these areas – especially if you have symptoms – to come forward for testing and help us find and contain the virus.

“The Victorian Government has also announced a tightening of the rules and has reduced the number of visitors you can have in your home to five. Outside of the home, people can now gather in groups of up to 10 only.

“These moves are important to keeping our community safe and to ensure COVID-19 does not get away from us. We do not want Victoria to suffer like many major cities around the world who have been devastated by the severe impacts of COVID-19.

“Don’t take this disease lightly. if you feel unwell with any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you should stay home and get tested.

“If you have any fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste – stay home, don’t go in to work and don’t visit friends and family. Get tested and stay at home until you get the result.”