21/04/2020
What's new?
Developments in the outbreak
- As of 21 April 2020, Victoria has 1,336 total confirmed cases, an increase of 7 since yesterday.
- 28 people are in hospital, including 12 people in intensive care. 15 people have died. 138 cases have an unknown source of infection, an increase of 2 since yesterday. 1,202 people have recovered. More than 88,000 Victorians have been tested.
- Of the total 1,336 cases, there have been 1,058 in metropolitan Melbourne and 241 in regional Victoria. A number of cases remain under investigation.
- There have been 163 confirmed cases in healthcare workers, across at least 7 hospitals and 1 radiology clinic.
- A total of 44 cases are reported in people in mandatory hotel quarantine (an increase of 1 since yesterday).
- The total number of cases in Australia is currently 6,626.
- Up-to-date epidemiological data is available on our website.
Current advice to clinicians
- Category 2 and 3 elective surgeries, including IVF, will gradually resume after the ANZAC Day weekend.
- Surgeries that will be allowed include IVF procedures, screening programs, post-cancer reconstruction procedures, all procedures for children under the age of 18, all joint procedures, cataract and other eye surgeries, endoscopies, colonoscopies and other category two or equivalent procedures.
- The Australian Government has received 60 million protective face masks that will be distributed as needed to doctors and other frontline staff in public hospitals, general practices, Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations, pharmacies and aged care workers.
- Pregnant women should be considered potentially vulnerable, particularly from 28 weeks gestation, and should be encouraged to follow the standard advice to protect themselves against COVID-19, such as good hand hygiene and physical distancing practices.
- Pregnant women should also be encouraged to have the seasonal influenza vaccine, as this will help to prevent them and their baby from catching influenza.
Key messages for the community
- 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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