2/09/2020
What's new?
- As of 2 September 2020, 90 new cases have been diagnosed since yesterday, with a total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 19,224.
- Of the new cases, 22 are linked to outbreaks or complex cases, 68 are under investigation.
- Sadly, there have been 6 new deaths reported since yesterday. To date, 576 people have died from coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria.
- There are 4351 cases that may indicate community transmission.
- There are 2415 cases currently active in Victoria. 16,152 people have recovered.
- 406 people are in hospital. This includes 18 patients in intensive care.
- A total of 2,248,952 test results have been received. This is an increase of 13,912 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.
- Q&A from CHO restrictions, quarantine and self-isolation (Youtube video).
Current advice to clinicians
- The Coronavirus: Case and contact management guidelines for health services and general practitioners were updated on 31 August 2020.
- You can 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.
- Due to an increased risk of transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Taskforce has updated its advice for all health care workers in Victoria. It is now a requirement that staff who are directly involved in treating patients must wear a face shield (where practical). Read more about personal protective equipment and and download the updated Guide to the conventional use of PPE (Word) on our website.
- Visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website for advice on how to manage clinical waste from coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Further information on how we can protect our health care workers including advice for testing, emergency accommodation and other assistance can be found online.
- Protecting our healthcare workers (PDF) sets out the very latest in our understanding of coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it can spread within healthcare settings – both hospitals and aged care facilities.
- The Victorian Government has established a Healthcare Worker Infection Prevention and Wellbeing Taskforce, bringing together infection control experts and workforce representatives, who will examine and introduce measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in healthcare settings.
- 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, or loss or change in sense of smell or 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 entered a State of Disaster for a 4-week period from 6pm on Sunday 2 August 2020. Due to expire at 6pm on Wednesday 2 September, the State of Disaster was renewed until 11:59pm on Sunday 13 September 2020, bringing it in line with the existing State of Emergency declaration.
- 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.
- Melbourne moved to Stage 4 restrictions on Sunday 2 August 2020 and 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.
- All Victorians must now wear a face covering when leaving home. The DHHS website has more information on face masks and coverings.
- The Victorian Government will release its roadmap for re-opening this Sunday, 6 September 2020, to provide certainty and clarity to communities, tourism operators and businesses alike that restrictions will be eased at a safe pace – based on localised health advice.
- Recognising there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the Government will offer tailored guidance not only to different industries but to different parts of our state, with dedicated roadmaps for both Melbourne and regional Victoria.
- Discussions are underway with a range of industry, unions and community organisations to inform the final work on Victoria’s roadmap to ‘COVID Normal’, including a separate roadmap to protect and support regional Victoria.
- This consultation will be informed by key principles for industry and businesses on a COVIDSafe re-opening, which are based on the best advice from our public health experts and are imperative to keeping our community safe.
Key messages for the community
- All Victorians, including those in regional locations, are to get tested even with the mildest of symptoms. This includes fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose and loss or change in 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.
- 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.
- Call the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Services on 1800 512 348 for information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health.
- Victorians can leave their home if they are not safe and seek help and support at an Orange Door or other family violence support service. 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.
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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