15/10/2020
What's new?
- As of 15 October 2020, six new cases have been diagnosed since yesterday, with the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria now at 20,315.
- The overall total has increased by four, due to two cases being reclassified.
- Today’s 14-day average case number for metropolitan Melbourne is 8.9 and regional Victoria is 0.6.
- There have been no new deaths from coronavirus (COVID-19) reported since yesterday. To date, 816 people have died from coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria.
- The total number of cases from an unknown source in the last 14 days is 15 for metropolitan Melbourne and zero for regional Victoria. 4,278 cases may indicate community transmission (a decrease of four since yesterday).
- There are 175 cases currently active in Victoria. 19,259 people have recovered.
- 21 people are in hospital, there are no cases in intensive care.
- A total of 2,890,495 test results have been received. This is an increase of 15,439 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.
- The State of Emergency and State of Disaster have been extended until 11:59pm on 8 November 2020.
Current advice to clinicians
- DHHS has been collecting stocktake and utilisation data on key personal protective equipment (PPE) and swabs for public health services to support early identification of potential stock shortages.
- The state supply chain has moved to a needs-based allocation method for N95 respirators. Allocations will include a mix of brands and models including BYD, Detmold, and 3M.
- 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.
- Find out the latest information about visiting care facilities and hospitals on our website.
- 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.
- The Queensland Health Minister, has asked all Victorian health services to note that people requiring emergency medical care at a Queensland hospital will not be denied treatment irrespective of their place of residence, if their clinical team determines that treatment at a Queensland hospital is the best option for their care. Emergency services including ambulance, aeromedical retrieval and organ transportation are not affected by Queensland border restrictions. For further information, visit Queensland Government border restrictions website.
- A new Infection Prevention and Control resource hub is now online, and includes a new factsheet on protective eyewear.
- In addition, there is updated PPE information for health care workers who are directly involved in treating patients. Updated information available online on the PPE coronavirus page.
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 is a long-term plan to provide safe, steady and sustainable steps for our path out of restrictions into a 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 have been extended until 11:59pm on 8 November 2020.
Key messages for the community
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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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