This Chief Health Officer update is intended to provide clinicians and the Victorian public with information about the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria as well as relevant public health response activities in Victoria. Chief Health Officer Alerts will continue to be issued when there are changes to the public health advice related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

28/09/2020

What's new?

  • As of 28 September 2020, five new cases have been diagnosed since yesterday, with the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria now at 20,149.
  • Today’s 14-day average case number for metropolitan Melbourne is 20.3 and regional Victoria is 0.6.
  • Within Victoria, all five of the new cases are linked to outbreaks or complex cases. Three are linked to aged care (Kalyna Aged Care Facility in Delahey, Opal Hobsons Bay and Embracia Moonee Valeey) and two linked to health services.
  • To date, 787 people have died from coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria, an increase of three since yesterday.
  • There are 4,274 cases that may indicate community transmission, an increase of one since yesterday.
  • There are 359 cases currently active in Victoria. 18,942 people have recovered.
  • 49 people are in hospital. This includes eight patients in intensive care.
  • A total of 2,668,796 test results have been received. This is an increase of 6,807 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.
  • A face covering means a face mask that covers the nose and mouth. Face shields on their own do not meet these requirements. There will be a one-week grace period in enforcement from 28 September.
  • Dental clinics can recommence non-urgent services with a COVIDSafe Plan in place.
  • All AHPRA registered health workers – and in addition, social work, speech pathology, dietetics, audiology, exercise physiology, orthotists, prosthetists – may provide some face to face services.
  • Patients or residents over 18 at care facilities and hospitals may have only 1 visitor, once per day, for a maximum of 2 hours.
  • Patients or residents under 18 may have two parents or carers visit at the same time with no time limit.
  • Elective surgery is resuming in stages, in line with the Victorian Government’s roadmap for reopening.
  • Hospitals in regional Victoria will increase to 85 per cent of usual elective surgery activity from 28 September. Hospitals in metropolitan Melbourne will begin to ramp-up to 75 per cent of usual activity from the 28 September, when they enter the Second Step of the roadmap, and 85 per cent of usual activity when they move to the Third Step.
  • All Victorian hospitals will move to 100 per cent of their usual activity when the state moves from the Last Step to COVID Normal.

Current advice to clinicians

COVID-19 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

  • Victoria’s roadmap for reopening Victoria’s roadmap for reopening is a long-term plan to provide safe, steady and sustainable steps for our path out of restrictions into COVID Normal. The easing of restrictions will be subject to public health advice and meeting specific 14-day average case numbers. There are separate roadmaps for metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
  • Victoria’s State of Emergency and State of Disaster declarations have been extended from Sunday 13 September until 11.59pm on Sunday 11 October 2020.

Key messages for the community

  • Metropolitan Melbourne will be in the Second Step towards COVID Normal from 11:59pm on 27 September.
  • The Second Step will see the curfew lift in metropolitan Melbourne from 5am on Monday 28 September. There will be higher on the spot fines for breaching rules about visitors to your home and outdoor gatherings.
  • The move to the Third and Last Steps of the roadmap will no longer be defined by dates in the calendar. Instead, the “trigger point” for review by our public health team will be based on case number targets.
  • Find out more about the Second step restrictions summary – Metropolitan Melbourne 
  • Testing is a critical help to driving numbers down so it’s extremely important that if people have symptoms, however mild, they get tested. Go home straight after your test and isolate while you wait for the results. Go to the testing map for locations.
  • Six COVIDSafe principles apply across Victoria. 
    • Wear a face mask or covering when you leave home. 
    • Don't go to work if you feel unwell. 
    • Maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres. 
    • Cough and sneeze into tissue or your elbow. 
    • Perform good hand hygiene. 
    • Outdoor activities carry less risk than indoor activities. 
  • High risk locations are listed on the DHHS website. If you have visited any of the locations listed during the dates indicated you should watch for coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms. If symptoms occur immediately get tested and stay at home while you wait for results
  • Keep your home as safe and clean as possible against the virus. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Home Safety Plan is available for download at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/covid-19-home-safety-plan with hardcopy and translated versions available shortly.
  • Many Victorians are feeling fatigued, isolated or lonely. If you are in need of support for your mental health there are mental health resources you can access on our website. 
  • 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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