15/04/2020
What's new?
Developments in the outbreak
- As of 15 April 2020, Victoria has 1299 total confirmed cases, an increase of 8 since yesterday. 39 people are in hospital, including 18 people in intensive care. 14 people have died. 132 cases have an unknown source of infection, an increase of 10 since yesterday. 1137 people have recovered.
- Of the total 1299 cases, there have been 1033 in metropolitan Melbourne and 236 in regional Victoria. A number of cases remain under investigation.
- The total number of cases in Australia is currently 6408. That is expected to increase significantly in coming weeks unless people stay at home.
- There have been 157 confirmed cases in healthcare workers, across at least 7 hospitals and 1 radiology clinic.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is available on our website.
Current advice to clinicians
- Testing criteria has been expanded to include all people with consistent clinical symptoms. This will assist in finding cases that are being transmitted in the community.
- Please note the clinical criteria have been narrowed due to removal of epidemiological criteria. Clinicians are advised to only test patients who meet the clinical testing criteria. There should be no exceptions.
- Revised testing criteria include:
- Fever OR chills in the absence of an alternative diagnosis that explains the clinical presentation
OR
Acute respiratory infection that is characterised by cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. - Note: In addition, testing is recommended for people with new onset of other clinical symptoms consistent with COVID-19* AND who are close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 or who have returned from overseas in the past 14 days.
*headache, myalgia, runny or stuffy nose, anosmia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Fever OR chills in the absence of an alternative diagnosis that explains the clinical presentation
- Doctors requesting COVID-19 testing are asked to ensure that a current contact phone number for the patient is included on all pathology request forms.
- Healthcare workers and other frontline employees will be able to have their test results returned faster. Specimens taken from health care workers should be marked:
- URGENT- Health Care Worker
- In the case of testing for return-to-work criteria for healthcare and aged care workers, mark with ‘URGENT: HCW CLEARANCE TESTING, please notify result to DHHS’
- Results should be copied to the DHHS COVID-19 Response and the HCW’s treating physician.
- Advise patients that smoking may increase the severity of symptoms if they contract coronavirus. Offer support and information to quit.
- Please reinforce the advice to Victorians to stay home and stay safe.
- Look for signs of mental distress in your patients and encourage them to take a look at our coronavirus mental health webpage
- Be aware of the increased risk for family violence during this difficult time. Familarise yourself with the services available for your patients.
Key messages
- The rules are clear - Stay home. Protect the health system. Save lives.
- There are only four reasons to leave home:
- shopping for what you need - food and essential supplies
- medical, care or compassionate needs
- exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements
- work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely.
Current directions arising from the declared state of emergency
The State of Emergency in Victoria has been extended until midnight 11 May 2020.
The current directions remain in place and include: staying at home, restrictions on particular activities, detention, restrictions on airports and cruise ships, aged care, hospitals and isolation for people diagnosed with COVID-19
More information viewed at the department’s website. The site also contains a page of frequently asked questions providing further guidance on the directions.
More information
Clinical information
Health services and general practice - coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Consumer information
About Coronavirus (COVID-19) - information for the general public
World Health Organization - health topic - Coronavirus
Contacts
Medical practitioners needing clinical information or to notify suspected or confirmed cases can contact the Department of Health and Human Services Communicable Diseases Section on 1300 651 160 (24 hours).
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