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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).

10/1/2021

What's new?

  • Victoria has recorded six new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) since yesterday, five in returned travellers in hotel quarantine and one in a member of an international flight crew in hotel quarantine. Victoria has recorded no new locally acquired cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).
  • The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases reported in Victoria is now 20,410 including those in hotel quarantine.
  • There were no new deaths and the state’s death toll stands at 820.
  • There are 45 active cases in Victoria, this includes 28 local cases and 17 in hotel quarantine, 19,544 people have recovered.
  • A total of 4,139,908 test results have been received. This is an increase of 23,412 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.

Greater Brisbane hotspot

  • Victoria’s border remains closed to anyone who has been in Greater Brisbane on or after Saturday 2 January.
  • Anyone who has already arrived in Victoria and visited Great Brisbane on or since Saturday 2 January must get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) as soon as possible, even if they have no symptoms, and quarantine at home or in their accommodation until 6pm on Monday 11 January.
  • The Greater Brisbane ‘hotspot’ covers the local government areas of Brisbane City, Moreton Bay, Redland, Ipswich and Logan. The Queensland Government has ordered a three-day lockdown of the area.
  • Victorians in these areas are advised to follow the guidance of the Queensland Government and any Victorian with plans to travel to these areas should cancel them.
  • National Cabinet has declared Greater Brisbane a national hotspot after the discovery of a UK variant of COVID-19 in a cleaner at a Brisbane quarantine hotel.
  • Those who have arrived in Victoria from these areas since 2 January should get tested, remain at home or place of accommodation until Monday, when a further assessment will be made.

New Victorian case – MCG and Chadstone shopping centre

  • The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and stores in the Chadstone shopping centre have been listed as potential acquisition sites for the mystery case identified on Tuesday 5 January.
  • Anyone who attended the MCG on Sunday 27 December and was seated in The Great Southern Stand, Zone 5, between 12.30pm - 3.30pm, must get tested and self-quarantine until you receive a negative result. 
  • Additionally anyone who visited Chadstone Shopping Centre on Saturday 26 December between 6:00am-2:00pm and shopped at one of the follow stores are must get tested and self-quarantine until you receive a negative result: Culture Kings, Huffer, JD Sports, Jay Jays, H&M, Uniqlo, Myer, Superdry, Footlocker, Dumplings Plus and Zara Men.
  • The Zara clothing store at Chadstone has been added today to this list of possible acquisition sites.
  • Other people who were at Chadstone or the MCG should get tested if they have any symptoms, however mild.
  • Details for the Chadstone store acquisition sites are still being investigated and this information will be updated on the Case locations and outbreaks webpage.

Black Rock Restaurant Outbreak

  • Positive cases have been linked to Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant in Black Rock on Monday 21 December 2020.
  • Extensive contact tracing is underway and as a result there are close contacts being supported to isolate immediately.
  • Anyone who went to Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant on Monday 21 December 2020 should get tested and quarantine immediately.
  • DHHS will continue to update exposure sites on the list of Case locations and outbreaks.
  • Additional testing sites are being set up in the affected areas. Find testing site details and opening hours.

Public transport Myki registration

  • Public transport users are encouraged to register their Myki cards to support contact tracing efforts and provide another avenue to contact people. Myki cards can be registered on the Public Transport Victoria website.

Coronavirus fragments detected in Lakes Entrance wastewater

  • Viral fragments have been detected in a sample of wastewater taken from the inlet to the Lakes Entrance wastewater treatment plant on Tuesday 29 December.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services is urging anyone in the Lakes Entrance area with any coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, no matter how mild, to get tested and stay home until they receive their result.
  • Bairnsdale Regional Health Services drive-through testing site is open from 9am to 5pm everyday.

NSW Border

  • Entry into Victoria is now restricted. You can only apply for a permit if you:
    • Are transiting through NSW to Victoria from another state or territory
    • Are briefly passing through Victoria from another state or territory and are not staying in Victoria
    • Are a permitted worker - commercial freight worker, essential services worker, or agricultural worker travelling to Victoria for work.
  • For Victorians living along the Murray River, the existing ‘border bubble’ arrangement allowing residents to travel across the border, between permitted Local Government Areas will continue.
  • There is an exemption process in place for those in NSW who have special needs to come back into Victoria.
  • All exemptions are reviewed by the Chief Health Officer, or their delegate, and take up to 48 hours to process.
  • You can apply for an exemption by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 or via the online form.
  • Victorians are strongly advised not to travel to NSW.

Testing sites

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing remains one of the best ways we can keep people safe and stay open, so we're asking anyone with symptoms to come and get tested - regardless of the time of year.
  • Testing sites are also be operating in the popular summer destinations at Torquay, Lorne, and the Mornington Peninsula.
  • Testing site details, including new and pop-up testing site and opening hours, are available at Where to get tested page

Face masks

  • Face masks are now mandatory in all indoor settings, including workplaces. There are exceptions, including when you are eating and drinking or if you have a health condition.
  • Under COVIDSafe Summer restrictions, there is a requirement to carry a mask at all times.
  • Fitted face masks are now mandatory when in airport terminals and is strongly recommended to wear a mask on your flight.

Wastewater monitoring continues in more than 60 locations

  • Low levels of viral fragments have been detected in samples taken this week at wastewater treatment plants in Castlemaine and Corio, and in sub-catchments of the Colac sewage system.
  • It is likely people who have recovered from coronavirus (COVID-19) and are no longer infectious are continuing to shed the virus. We have seen similar patterns in multiple locations across the state and we expect this to continue. It is not a cause for concern.
  • As always, it remains vitally important that any Victorians with any coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, no matter how mild, stay home and get tested.

Current advice to clinicians

  • Clinicians should be asking patients if they are from or if they have been in New South Wales and if so, to check the areas of risk defined by the NSW 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 has been extended until 29 January 2021 to allow the Chief Health Officer’s directions to remain in force.
  • From 5:00pm on Thursday 31 December 2020, the limit of people gathering in private homes was reduced from 30 to 15.

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.
  • COVIDSafe principles apply across Victoria:
    • You must carry a face mask with you when you leave home. You must wear your face mask on public transport, while in taxis or ride share vehicles, or when going to large retail venues, including shopping centres, supermarkets and department stores.
    • Wearing a face mask is strongly recommended in all other situations when you can’t keep 1.5 metres distance from other people. Don't go to work if you feel unwell.
    • Maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres.
    • Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
    • Wash hands with soap or use hand sanitiser regularly.
  • 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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