23/06/2020
What's new?
Developments in the outbreak
- As of 23 June 2020, the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1,864, an increase of 17 since yesterday’s report.
- Of the 17 new cases, two cases are linked to known outbreaks, one detected in hotel quarantine, three identified through routine testing, and 11 remain under investigation.
- 233 cases have been acquired in Australia where the source of infection is unknown.
- Nine people are in hospital, including three patients in intensive care. 19 people have died. 1,712 people have recovered.
- Of the total 1864 cases, there have been 1,568 in metropolitan Melbourne and 241 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation.
- More than 675,000 test results have been received by the department since 1 January 2020.
- The State of Emergency has been extended until 11.59pm on 19 July
- Further details on the latest cases and changes to restrictions can be found in today's coronavirus (COVID-19) media release.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is available on our website.
- The Victorian Government is working with health providers, local councils and community groups in areas with current outbreaks to support communities. This includes establishing community engagement teams to improve understanding of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to encourage people to get tested.
Current advice to clinicians
- Practitioners should 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, anosmia or loss of smell or loss of taste)
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.
- Any coronavirus test reported by a laboratory as having detected SARS-CoV-2 on PCR will be treated as positive for the purposes of public health actions, regardless of repeat testing of the sample. It is not appropriate to advise a patient that a test is a false positive without prior consultation with the department. Current processing time for COVID-19 tests is one to three days.
- Practitioners are encouraged to also consider testing for other infectious diseases as warranted by the patient’s clinical presentation and history, including travel history. Test for influenza in patients presenting with compatible respiratory symptoms and request a stool culture in patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Key messages for the community
- Community Engagement Teams (CETs) are being established as part of Victorian Government efforts to intensify its response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Maintain physical distance from others and avoid crowds, wash your hands regularly and cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, stay home and get tested if you’re unwell.
- It remains important that if you can work from home, you must keep working from home.
- More information on how to stay safe can be viewed at dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
More information
Clinical information
Latest coronavirus information for Victorian health services and general practice
Consumer information
Victoria's current restrictions
Latest coronavirus information from the World Health Organization
Latest travel advice from Smartraveller
Contacts
Medical practitioners needing clinical information or to notify confirmed cases can contact the Department of Health and Human Services Communicable Diseases Section on 1300 651 160 (24 hours).
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