27/06/2020
What's new?
- As of 27 June 2020, the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1,987, an increase of 41 since yesterday’s report.
- Of the 41 new cases, eight cases are linked to outbreaks, one was detected in hotel quarantine, 13 were identified through routine testing, and 19 remain under investigation.
- 260 cases have been acquired in Australia where the source of infection is unknown, an increase of 15 since yesterday’s report.
- Five people are in hospital, including one patient in intensive care. 20 people have died, no increase since yesterday’s report. 1,761 people have recovered.
- Of the total 1,987 cases, there have been 1,660 in metropolitan Melbourne and 246 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation.
- More than 785,000 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 can be found in today’s coronavirus (COVID-19) media release.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is available on our website.
- Updates have been made to the health services and professionals section of our website for improved usability and content navigation.
Suburban testing blitz
- A targeted blitz was launched this week across ten priority suburbs to zero-in on community transmission with a fleet of mobile vans.
- Over 10 days, residents of these suburbs will receive free testing – with or without symptoms. Priority suburbs include Keilor Downs, Broadmeadows, Maidstone, Albanvale, Sunshine West, Hallam, Brunswick West, Fawkner, Reservoir and Pakenham, with Keilor Downs and Broadmeadows identified as the top two and focus of the next three days of testing.
- Residents of these suburbs should not seek asymptomatic testing from their General Practitioner, rather visit a site listed on our Getting tested webpage.
- People getting tested in hotspots who are asymptomatic and awaiting test results do not need to self-isolate. In line with existing guidance, if people feel unwell or have any of the coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms they should self-isolate.
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 (COVID-19) 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. Current processing time for coronavirus (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
- For 10 days starting Thursday 25 June, if you live in one of the priority suburbs you will receive free testing – with or without symptoms. For more information on the Suburban Testing Blitz go to the Response to outbreaks page.
- Asymptomatic people getting tested in hotspots during this time do not need to self-isolate.
- If you feel unwell with any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), 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. Go to the DHHS testing map for locations.
More information
Clinical information
Latest coronavirus information for Victorian health services and general practice
Consumer information
Translated resources in over 50 languages
Victoria's current restrictions
COVID-19 suburban testing blitz - hotspots
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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