30/04/2020
What's new?
Developments in the outbreak
- As of 30 April 2020, the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1,361, an increase of 7 since yesterday.
- 18 people are in hospital, including 9 people in intensive care. 18 people have died.
- 140 cases have an unknown source of infection, an increase of 1 since yesterday.
- 1,291 people have recovered. To date, more than 115,100 tests have been conducted in Victoria.
- Of the total 1,361 cases, there have been 1,105 in metropolitan Melbourne and 217 in regional Victoria. A number of cases remain under investigation.
- There have been 165 confirmed cases in healthcare workers, unchanged since yesterday.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is available on our website.
Current advice to clinicians
- A major COVID-19 testing blitz is currently taking place across Victoria, to better understand how the virus is spreading in the community. Every effort will be made to actively find cases of COVID-19.
- Widespread testing is strongly encouraged at the present time. Practitioners are encouraged to test any patients who meet the clinical criteria below:
Fever OR chills in the absence of an alternative diagnosis that explains the clinical presentation*
OR
Acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or anosmia)
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; who have returned from overseas in the past 14 days; or who are healthcare or aged care workers.
*Clinical discretion applies including consideration of the potential for co-infection (e.g. concurrent infection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza)
**headache, myalgia, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea - Workers without symptoms in hospitals and other facilities with vulnerable residents may be asked to voluntarily participate in sample testing to inform disease surveillance activity. Advice will be forthcoming on this.
- Category 2 and some category 3 elective surgeries are gradually resuming. IVF procedures, post-cancer reconstruction procedures, eye procedures and cataracts, endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures, some dental procedures, joint replacements including knee, hip and shoulder and screening programs for cancer and other diseases can resume, as well as all procedures for children under 18 years.
Key messages for the community
- If you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus, you should seek medical advice and get tested. To get further advice, call your GP or the 24-hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398.
- 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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