4/09/2020
What's new?
- As of 4 September 2020, 81 new cases have been diagnosed since yesterday, with a total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 19,415.
- Of the new cases, 22 are linked to outbreaks or complex cases, 59 are under investigation.
- Sadly, there have been 59 new deaths reported since yesterday. To date, 650 people have died from coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria. 50 of these new deaths were prior to yesterday and reported today due to reconciliation of data between private providers, state and federal health care departments.
- There are 4,369 cases that may indicate community transmission.
- There are 2,060 cases currently active in Victoria. 16,625 people have recovered.
- 329 people are in hospital. This includes 20 patients in intensive care.
- A total of 2,356,292 test results have been received. This is an increase of 25,031 since yesterday.
- You can find further details in today’s coronavirus (COVID-19) media release.
- The DHHS website has full details in the interactive daily report.
- Q&A from CHO restrictions, quarantine and self-isolation (Youtube video).
Current advice to clinicians
- A small number of cases of PIMS-TS - a novel post-infectious systemic hyperinflammatory syndrome - have been reported in children in Victoria. PIMS-TS occurs two to six weeks after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The initial infection may be asymptomatic. Advise paediatric and emergency staff to consider PIMS-TS in a child with fever, abdominal pain, rash and tachycardia. If you have a patient with PIMS-TS, contact the on-call paediatric infectious diseases service at the Royal Children's or Monash Children's hospitals. More information.
- Residential Aged Care Facilities without COVID cases in rural and regional areas in Victoria will have additional support from the Australian Defence Force as they visit these sites to help assess and improve infection control measures. They will co-ordinate these visits with aged care hub leads to gain awareness of regional/local issues and ensure contacts are appropriately prioritised.
- Notifications to the department of a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus (COVID-19) can be done 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.
- Personal protective equipment and advice from the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Taskforce can be found in the Guide to the conventional use of PPE (Word) on our website.
- How to manage clinical waste from coronavirus (COVID-19) is now 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. More information can be found online.
Covid Testing Criteria
- 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 from the following cohorts: close contacts of a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19); those who have returned from overseas in the past 14 days; or those who are healthcare or aged care workers. Testing is recommended for those cohorts with onset of other clinical symptoms**. Asymptomatic testing is not recommended at this stage except for targeted programs
*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.
Victoria's restriction levels
- Melbourne moved to Stage 4 restrictions on Sunday 2 August 2020 and regional Victoria moved to Stage 3 restrictions on 5 August 2020. The current State of Emergency and State of Disaster end Sunday 13 September.
- All Victorians must 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 for both Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Key messages for the community
- All Victorians, including those in regional locations are to get tested even with even the mildest of symptoms.
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.
- 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 available for referrals from people who identify as LGBTIQ, multicultural, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, veterans and people experiencing homelessness.
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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