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Coronavirus (COVID-19) daily update

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).

6/12/2020

What's new?

  • As of 6 December 2020, no new cases have been diagnosed since yesterday with the total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria at 20,345. This is Victoria’s 37th consecutive day with no new cases.
  • Today’s 14-day average case number for metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria is zero.
  • There were no new deaths and the state’s death toll stands at 820.
  • The total number of cases from an unknown source in the last 14 days is zero for metropolitan Melbourne and zero for regional Victoria. 3,762 cases may indicate community transmission (no change since yesterday’s report).
  • There are no active cases in Victoria. 19,525 people have recovered.
  • A total of 3,628,246 test results have been received. This is an increase of 8,377 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.
  • Last Step restrictions are in place throughout Victoria. Visit the summary of changes to restrictions for Victoria. New COVIDSafe Summer restrictions will come into effect at 11:59 pm on Sunday 6 December 2020. Visit the COVIDSafe Summer restrictions summary for more information.
  • The Victorian Government will introduce legislation to enable charging for mandatory quarantine. Visit mandatory quarantine contribution fee for more information.

Two international travellers in mandatory quarantine

  • Two international travellers are now in mandatory quarantine in Victoria, after arriving in Sydney yesterday and boarding a domestic flight to Melbourne without quarantining in NSW.
  • An initial test of the two international travellers has returned negative results.  Follow up testing is being arranged for tomorrow and for day 11 of their quarantine.
  • A comprehensive public health response is underway, including testing and full contact tracing.
  • Anyone who travelled on Virgin Airways flight VA 838 from Sydney to Melbourne on 5 December should immediately quarantine at home and contact DHHS on 1300 651 160 for further information.
  • Anyone who has been at the Melbourne Airport domestic terminal 3 on Saturday afternoon is advised to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and to seek testing if symptoms develop.
  • Melbourne Airport is not a current risk to the public – you may continue to visit the airport, in line with current restrictions.

Face masks

  • There is a requirement to carry a mask at all times.
  • From 11:59pm 6 December, masks will only be required in a limited number of places: on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and taxis, in some retail settings including indoor shopping centres, supermarkets, department stores and indoor markets.
  • Under COVIDSafe Summer restrictions, masks will no longer be mandated in most circumstances but continue to be recommended indoors or outdoors when distancing can’t be maintained.

COVIDSafe Summer restrictions

  • From 11:59pm 6 December, new COVIDSafe Summer restrictions will be in place across Victoria. From this time onwards the following will apply:
    • You can have up to 30 visitors to your home per day. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from. Front and backyards are considered part of the home.
    • Up to 100 people can meet outdoors in a public place. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from.
    • Record keeping continues to be an important tool for helping Victoria to stay safe and stay open. Businesses that are required to record the details of visitors should use electronic record keeping or QR codes. The Victorian Government has a free QR code service.
    • Restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs can open for seated and unseated service. They must use electronic record keeping and apply the two square metre rule to ensure that customers have enough room to keep 1.5 metres between themselves and others. There are no other limits on the number of customers. Venues can have up to 25 people before the two square metre rule needs to be applied.
    • Weddings, funerals and religious gatherings can occur with no limits on the number of guests or attendees. To ensure people can keep 1.5 metres distance the venue must apply the two square metre rule. If a service is conducted in a private home, the private gathering limit applies (30 visitors).
    • Dance floors can reopen in bars and pubs as well as at weddings. The four-square metre rule must be applied to limit the number of people on the dance floor and there can only be up to 50 people on the dancefloor at one time, if space allows.
    • There are also changes to the number of people allowed at community facilities such as libraries, sporting facilities (such as gyms), and entertainment facilities (such as cinemas).
  • From Monday 11 January 2021, 50 per cent of private business office-based workers can return to work. For workplaces with fewer than 40 staff, up to 20 staff onsite, subject to public health advice.
  • From Monday 11 January 2021, up to 25 per cent of the Victorian public service will be able to return to the office moving up to 50 per cent on 8 February 2021, subject to public health advice.

Temporary border controls with South Australia

  • The Victorian Government will continue to monitor the situation in South Australia and will continue to be guided by the health advice.
  • A permit is now required to enter Victoria from South Australia unless an exemption applies. For more information visit the Victorian Border Crossing Permit page.
  • People who live in the previously established 70km cross-border bubble between Victoria and South Australia will not require a new permit, but they will be required to use existing permits from the South Australian Government, or their drivers licence to cross the border.
  • Those receiving or providing emergency medical care, providing or receiving emergency services or residing on a property that extends across both South Australia and Victoria will be exempt from the requirement for a permit.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) fragments found in  Daylesford, Hepburn, Hepburn springs 

  • Traces of COVID-19 have been detected in a wastewater sample from the Daylesford, Hepburn and Hepburn Springs area. The Department is investigating further.  
  • The viral fragments of coronavirus were detected from a sample taken on Monday 30 November, and further samples are being taken for testing.  
  • Further wastewater samples taken from 30 sites across Victoria yesterday (3 December 2020), including Daylesford, have all returned negative results.
  • As always, anyone with symptoms in the Daylesford, Hepburn and Hepburn Springs area – or anyone with symptoms who visited the region on the weekend – should get tested. Testing is available at Daylesford Health from 9:45am to 4pm Monday to Friday. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) fragments found in Colac wastewater

  • The Department is urging anyone with symptoms, especially if they have been in the Colac area to get tested after viral fragments of coronavirus were detected in a wastewater sample taken. 
  • The sample produced a strong testing result and follows the detection of low levels of viral fragments on 23 November. Further samples will be taken today for testing. 
  • People who have or have recently had COVID-19 may shed fragments of the virus and these can enter wastewater through toilets, sinks and drains. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) fragments found in Corio wastewater

  • Coronavirus fragments have been detected in a wastewater sample collected from the Oyster Cove wastewater treatment plant in Corio.
  • Residents and visitors to Geelong’s northern suburbs and Lara from Saturday 21 to Tuesday 23 November are urged to get tested if they have any symptoms, no matter how mild.
  • The result is unexpected given that there are no residents in the area known to have recently had a coronavirus (COVID-19) illness or diagnosis.
  • Samples of untreated wastewater are analysed for fragments of SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes coronavirus (COVID-19) – at more than 50 wastewater treatment plants across Victoria.

Current advice to clinicians

  • Clinicians should be asking patients if they have been in South Australia and if so, to check the areas of risk defined by the South Australian government and recommended actions.
  • Statement on Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) diagnosis in symptomatic persons.
  • 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.
  • The department continues to ask commercial passenger vehicle drivers and food delivery drivers to get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19). If commercial passenger vehicle drivers and food delivery drivers do not have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), they will not have to stay home to wait for their test results. Commercial passenger vehicle drivers and food delivery drivers will need to tell staff at the testing centre/site that they work in the industry

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 changes 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.
  • If a symptomatic patient that presents for testing, confirms exposure to a known coronavirus (COVID-19) case within the past 14 days, and the outbreak definition is met, the test sample is to be treated as an ‘outbreak sample’.

Victoria’s restriction levels

  • The State of Emergency will be extended from 11:59 pm until 3 January 2021 to allow the Chief Health Officer’s directions to remain in force.

Key messages for the community

  • Testing is a critical help to keep 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.
  • Public exposure sites 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 (indoors)
    • Don't go to work if you feel unwell.
    • Maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres.
    • Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
    • Perform good hand hygiene.
    • Outdoor activities carry less risk than indoor activities.
  • The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Home Safety Plan (PDF) is available for download which tells you what you need to know to help you, your family and friends stay safe and well.
  • 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.
  • If Victorians are not safe at home, they can 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

Online resources

Consumer information

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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