08/05/2020
What's new?
Developments in the outbreak
- As of 08 May 2020, the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1,467, an increase of 13 since yesterday.
- The new confirmed cases include 8 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) at a Melbourne meat processing facility, taking the total number of cases in this cluster to 71.
- 158 cases have an unknown source of infection, an increase of 5 since yesterday.
- 8 people are in hospital, including 6 people in intensive care. 18 people have died.
- There are currently 117 active cases in Victoria, and 1327 people have recovered.
- To date, over 193,265 tests have been performed in Victoria, with many more samples still being processed as part of the state’s testing blitz.
- Of the total 1,467 cases, there have been 1,209 in metropolitan Melbourne and 219 in regional Victoria. A number of cases remain under investigation.
- There have been 171 confirmed cases in healthcare workers, a decrease of 1 since yesterday’s report due to reclassification of one interstate case.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is available on our website.
Update on current restrictions and state of emergency
- Today the Prime Minister announced a three-step plan to relax the restrictions put in place to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
- Individual state and territory governments will make their own decisions on changes to restrictions based on their circumstances.
- In Victoria the government is reviewing our current State of Emergency restrictions, with further announcements expected on Monday 11 May.
- Any movement to the current restrictions will be informed by the extensive testing undertaken in Victoria during the past weeks.
- More information viewed at the department’s website. The site also contains a page of frequently asked questions providing further guidance on the directions.
Cyber security and coronavirus (COVID-19)
- The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is aware of scammers who are pretending to be government agencies providing coronavirus (COVID-19) information via text messages and emails ‘phishing’ for people’s personal information.
- Scams are also including false notifications of close contacts to confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases which contain malicious links and attachments designed to steal personal and financial information when they are opened.
- During this time, we remind everyone to be cautious and remain alert to coronavirus (COVID-19) related scams.
- If you suspect that you or your patient have been a target of a scam or are unsure, go to Scamwatch – Report a Scam.
- Following your test for coronavirus (COVID-19), you will be contacted directly with your results by your doctor or the clinic where you were tested, either by calling or by SMS. They will notify you of your results, regardless if it is positive or negative.
- If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, you will be called by a DHHS public health officer and given advice on next steps.
- If you have downloaded the COVIDSafe app, you will receive daily notifications ensuring the app is running correctly, however if the app identifies that you have been exposed, you will be called by a DHHS public health officer. The COVIDSafe app will not notify any person directly that they are a case or contact of COVID-19
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 coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Due to the high volume of tests being processed, results may take longer than usual, up to 5 days
- 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
- If referring your patients for COVID-19 testing, a list of testing locations can be found on the getting tested for coronavirus page.
Key messages for the community
- Stage 3 restrictions are still in place.
- Staying apart keeps protecting the health system and saves lives.
- There are only four reasons to leave your home: food and supplies, medical care and care giving, exercise, and work or education - if necessary.
- Protect yourself from coronavirus (COVID-19) by washing your hands regularly with soap and water; and try not to touch your face, including your eyes, nose or mouth.
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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