17/04/2020
What's new?
Developments in the outbreak
- As of 17 April 2020, Victoria has 1302 total confirmed cases, an increase of 1 since yesterday. 32 people are in hospital, including 13 people in intensive care. 14 people have died. 136 cases have an unknown source of infection, an increase of 3 since yesterday. 1159 people have recovered. More than 75,000 Victorians have been tested.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is available on our website.
Current advice to clinicians
- Testing is now based on the clinical symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) which are:
- Fever OR chills in the absence of an alternative diagnosis that explains the clinical presentation
OR - Acute respiratory infection that is characterised by cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.
- Note: In addition, testing is recommended for people with new onset of other clinical symptoms consistent with COVID-19* AND who are close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 or who have returned from overseas in the past 14 days.
*headache, myalgia, runny or stuffy nose, anosmia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Fever OR chills in the absence of an alternative diagnosis that explains the clinical presentation
- Doctors requesting COVID-19 testing are asked to ensure that a current contact phone number for the patient is included on all pathology request forms.
- Healthcare workers and other frontline employees will be able to have their test results returned faster. Specimens taken from health care workers should be marked:
- URGENT- Health Care Worker
- In the case of testing for return-to-work criteria for healthcare and aged care workers, mark with ‘URGENT: HCW CLEARANCE TESTING, please notify result to DHHS’
- Results should be copied to the DHHS COVID-19 Response and the HCW’s treating physician.
- Encourage patients to continue to proactively manage chronic illnesses, take routine tests and attend health services.
- Remind patients in at-risk groups of the importance of being tested if they have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Advise patients that smoking may increase the severity of symptoms if they contract coronavirus. Offer support and information to quit.
- Please reinforce the advice to Victorians to stay home and stay safe.
- Look for signs of mental distress in your patients and encourage them to take a look at our coronavirus mental health webpage: Mental health resources - coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Be aware of the increased risk for family violence during this difficult time. Familiarise yourself with the services available for your patients: Family violence crisis response and support during coronavirus
Test all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who develop fever or respiratory symptoms for coronavirus (COVID-19)
Key messages
- The rules are clear - Stay home. Protect the health system. Save lives.
- There are only four reasons to leave home:
- shopping for what you need - food and essential supplies
- medical, care or compassionate needs
- exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements
- work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely.
Current directions arising from the declared state of emergency
The State of Emergency in Victoria has been extended until midnight 11 May 2020.
The current directions remain in place and include: staying at home, restrictions on particular activities, detention, restrictions on airports and cruise ships, aged care, hospitals and isolation for people diagnosed with COVID-19.
More information viewed at the department’s website. The site also contains a page of frequently asked questions providing further guidance on the directions.
More information
Clinical information
Health services and general practice - coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Consumer information
About Coronavirus (COVID-19) - information for the general public
World Health Organization - health topic - Coronavirus
Contacts
Medical practitioners needing clinical information or to notify suspected or confirmed cases can contact the Department of Health and Human Services Communicable Diseases Section on 1300 651 160 (24 hours).
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