27/08/2020
What's new?
- As of 27 August 2020, the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 18,714.
- 113 new cases have been diagnosed since yesterday.
- Of the new cases, 24 are linked to outbreaks or complex cases and 89 are under investigation.
- There are 4,151 cases that may indicate community transmission.
- 532 people are in hospital. This includes 29 patients in intensive care.
- Sadly, there have been 23 new deaths reported since yesterday. To date, 485 people have died from coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria.
- There are 3,308 cases currently active in Victoria. 14,837 people have recovered.
- A total of 2,158,149 test results have been received. This is an increase of 25,470 since yesterday.
- Each fortnight, there have been more than three tests for every hundred people in all Melbourne metropolitan local government areas.
- You can find further details in today’s coronavirus (COVID-19) media release.
- The DHHS website has up-to-date epidemiological data available. See full details in the interactive daily report.
- The Victorian Government has invested more than $14.7 million in 17 projects dedicated to fighting coronavirus (COVID-19) conducted by Victoria’s leading medical research institutes and universities. This funding has already resulted in a consortium led by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute using antibodies to prevent coronavirus from infecting cells under laboratory conditions. This could lead to the development of antibody-based therapies, a key potential therapy, especially for those who may not produce a strong immune response to infection.
Current advice to clinicians
- You can now notify the department of a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus (COVID-19) online. You can submit an online form to our public health team, rather than calling us, saving you time and resolving your case load more efficiently.
- The online form is available on the DHHS website as well as the Health.vic website.
- Information for healthcare workers about priority testing and other supports and assistance is on the DHHS website. This includes advice on self-isolation, quarantine and emergency accommodation.
- It is now a requirement that staff who are directly involved in treating patients must wear eye protection. Read more about personal protective equipment and advice on how to manage clinical waste from coronavirus (COVID-19).
- 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: testing is also 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.
Victoria's restriction levels
- Victoria’s State of Emergency has been extended until 11.59pm on Sunday 13 September 2020.
- Victoria's State of Disaster is in place until Sunday 13 September 2020. This gives police and emergency services more powers to make sure people comply with public health directions.
- Melbourne moved to Stage 4 restrictions on Sunday 2 August 2020.
- Regional Victoria moved to Stage 3 restrictions on 5 August 2020.
- A curfew is in place for Melbourne from 8pm to 5am. The only reasons to leave home during these times are for work, medical care and caregiving.
- Employers must issue a permitted worker permit to staff members that are required to attend a work site.
- All Victorians must now wear a face covering when leaving home. The DHHS website has more information on face masks and coverings.
Key messages for the community
- All Victorians, including those in regional locations, are to stay home and get tested even with the mildest of symptoms. This includes fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose and 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.
- Information is available about disposing of personal protective equipment at home and in the workplace as a downloadable factsheet.
- Victorians are reminded that no matter when we ease restrictions, wearing a mask, physically distancing and being on the lookout for symptoms must continue to be part of our "COVID Normal" for some time to come.
- Victorian coronavirus (COVID-19) data related to active case numbers, deaths, outbreaks, cases in aged care settings and hospitalisations is now publicly available each day on the website.
- 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.
- Financial support is also available. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment is being increased to $450. You can find more information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation and Worker Support Payments on our website.
- Check our website for information and advice about current restriction levels in place, including the updated directions, stage 4 and stage 3 restrictions.
- Victorians can leave their home if they are not safe and go and seek help and support at one of the orange doors or other family violence support services. If you or someone you know is at risk or experiencing family violence, call 000 in an emergency or safe steps 24/7 crisis service on 1800 015 188.
- The Partners in Wellbeing hotline (1300 375 330) is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm and until 10pm on weekdays. Referrals are encouraged from people who identify as LGBTIQ, multicultural, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, veterans and people experiencing homelessness. Additional support for business owners is available through access to business advisors and financial counsellors.
- A factsheet on how to ‘Reduce your risk of coronavirus (COVID-19)’, has been translated into 49 languages and is on 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.
Clinical information
Latest coronavirus (COVID-19) information for Victorian health services and general practice.
Latest information about providing immunisation services during Coronavirus Pandemic.
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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