12/08/2020
What's new?
- As of 12 August 2020, the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 15,646 with 410 new cases diagnosed since yesterday.
- Of the new cases, 72 are linked to outbreaks or complex cases and 338 are under investigation.
- There are 2,961 cases that may indicate community transmission, an increase of 58 since yesterday’s report.
- 662 people are in hospital, including 43 patients in intensive care.
- Sadly, there have been 21 new deaths reported since yesterday. To date, 267 people have died from coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria.
- There are 7,877 cases currently active in Victoria. 7,271 people have recovered.
- More than 1,874,615 tests have been processed – an increase of approximately 19,927 since yesterday.
- Further details can be found in today’s coronavirus (COVID-19) media release.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is available on our website.
- Victoria’s clinical and community mental health services will be boosted to address a surge in demand due to the pandemic. Mental health and wellbeing programs will provide support to police, paramedics and nurses and sole traders, small business owners and their employees.
- A new Call-to-Test service will provide in-home coronavirus testing to Victorians who would otherwise be unable to get tested. This includes older Victorians, Victorians with a disability, carers and those with an illness that might prevent them from leaving home. For eligible callers located in Melbourne, testers will visit within 48 hours.
- An awareness campaign focussing on the experiences of Victorians with coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it has impacted their lives, see Stories from Coronavirus Survivors.
State of Disaster
- Victoria entered a State of Disaster from 6pm on Sunday 2 August until Sunday 13 September. This gives police additional powers to make sure people are complying with public health directions.
- Melbourne moved to Stage 4 restrictions from Sunday 2 August 2020.
- A curfew is in place for Melbourne from 8pm to 5am. The only reason to leave home during these times is for work, medical care and caregiving. Employers that require their staff to attend a work site must issue a permitted worker permit to each staff member to whom that applies.
- Regional Victoria moved to Stage 3 restrictions from 5 August 2020.
- All Victorians must now wear a face covering when leaving home. More information on face masks and coverings is available on our website.
Current advice to clinicians
- From 11 August it is a requirement that eye protection must be worn by staff who are directly involved in treating patients. For mor information, please see Personal Protective Equipment.
- 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.
- The Department of Health and Human Services will continue distributing masks to eligible Victorians. General practices can place orders for these masks. More information is available on the reusable face masks page.
Key messages for the community
- Stay home and get tested if you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) no matter how mild: including fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of sense of smell or taste. Go home straight after your test and self-isolate while you wait for the results Go to the DHHS testing map for locations.
- Wear a face mask or covering when you leave home, unless a lawful exception applies.
- This is a difficult and uncertain time for all so support is vital and available. For more information on managing stress and support options, call the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Services on 1800 512 348.
- For information on worker support payments, see Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation and Worker Support Payments.
- Check our website for information and advice about current restriction levels in place including where stage 4, stage 3 and stage 2 restricted areas are, as well as the updated directions.
- The ‘Partners in Wellbeing’ hotline has been expanded to increase operating hours to 10pm weekdays. Additional support for business owners is now available, providing access business advisors and financial counsellors. The hotline number is 1300 375 330.
- Factsheets on how to ‘Reduce your risk of coronavirus (COVID-19)’, and has been translated into 49 languages and is available from our website . A video from the Chief Health Officer showing our community ‘how to safely wear a mask’ has been dubbed into a variety of languages for the public – you can find them here.
More information
Clinical information
Latest coronavirus (COVID-19) information for Victorian health services and general practice
Consumer information
Financial support – for coronavirus (COVID-19)
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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