13/07/2020
What's new?
- As of 13 July 2020, the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 3,967, with 177 new cases since yesterday’s report.
- The overall total has increased by 168, with nine cases reclassified, largely due to duplication. Of the new cases, 25 are linked to outbreaks and 151 are under investigation. One new case been detected in a returned traveller in hotel quarantine.
- 641 cases may indicate community transmission.
- 72 people are in hospital, including 17 patients in intensive care. There has been no deaths reported since yesterday. To date, 24 people have died.
- There are 1,612 cases currently active in Victoria. 2,329 people have recovered.
- Of the total cases, 3,552 are from metropolitan Melbourne and 293 are from regional Victoria.
- More than 1,148,300 test results have been received by the department since 1 January 2020.
- Further details can be found in today’s coronavirus (COVID-19) media release.
- An update to the Case and Contact Management Guidelines (v23 10 July 2020) has been made and relates to the assessment of close contact in healthcare workers who wear masks.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is available on our website.
Stay at Home Directions
- Stay at home directions will remain in place for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire until 11.59pm Wednesday 19 August.
- People who live in these areas are only allowed to go out for four reasons: shopping for food and supplies, health care and caregiving, outdoor exercise, and study or work – if unable to work or study from home.
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 coronavirus (COVID-19)** AND who are close contacts of a confirmed case of coronavirus (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 coronavirus (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.
Key messages for the community
- 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.
- If you live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire and are aged 18 years or older, it is recommended that you wear a face mask when you leave home if it is going to be difficult for you to maintain 1.5 metres of distance between yourself and other people. Face masks are not a substitute for physical distancing.
- The Victorian Government launched a new digital mental health platform for young people called MOST – Moderated Online Social Therapy – an online tool which allows young people to access tailored online therapy and peer support. It is now available for clients of Orygen in the North and West of Melbourne – a state wide roll out will continue progressively throughout the year.
- Smiling Mind will also produce resources for senior secondary students to support their mental health and wellbeing. Secondary school students can access counselling via a voice call or video conference through the headspace counselling partnership or via their school-based mental health practitioner.
- This is an anxious and uncertain time for everyone and support is vital and available. For more information about managing stress and support options, call the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Services on 1800 512 348 or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
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
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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