Coronavirus update for Victoria - 25 June 2020

The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Victoria is 1917, with 33 new cases reported yesterday.

Yesterday’s new cases are made up of nine linked to outbreaks, six cases identified through routine testing, 10 cases detected in a returned travellers in hotel quarantine and eight cases under investigation.

There have been no new deaths reported. To date, 20 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.

There have been 240 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that have been acquired through unknown transmission. There are currently 163 active cases in Victoria.

Currently, seven people with coronavirus infection are in hospital, including two patients in intensive care. 1732 people have recovered from the virus.

Of the total 1917 cases, there have been 1602 in metropolitan Melbourne and 241 in regional Victoria. The total number of cases is made up of 1021 men and 896 women. More than 716,000 tests have been processed to date. 

A new family outbreak has seen five cases across two households in Brimbank. The Department is following up all close contacts and testing is underway.

Two new cases have been linked to the Northland H&M outbreak, taking the total to 10. As the majority of cases are within a large family group, this outbreak will now be known as the North Melbourne family cluster. The Department is continuing to contact trace other close contacts.

Two new cases have been linked to the Keilor Downs family outbreak, taking the total number to 19 across eight households. The new cases are household contacts.

The outbreak involving St Monica’s College in Epping is now largely linked to a social gathering rather than the school and will be known as the Wollert outbreak. There are two new cases linked to this outbreak, taking the total to five. Contact tracing and testing are underway.

There is also one new case related to the outbreak at the quarantine Stamford Plaza Hotel. The new case is a household contact of an existing case. There are now 16 cases in this outbreak. 

Two employees from the Coles distribution centre in Laverton have returned positive COVID-19 test results. The first case notified on 22 June and was quickly linked to the current Keilor Downs family outbreak as a close contact. All of their close contacts were identified, notified and placed into quarantine. Last night, a second case of a worker was notified to the department. This case has not been identified as a close contact of the first worker. 

Both cases are believed to have worked whilst infectious with minimal symptoms. All potential transmission sources and possible links between the cases are being explored. The department is working closely with Coles to ensure that appropriate public health actions are taken.

The Victorian Government has today launched a targeted blitz across ten priority suburbs with a team of 800 testers to zero-in on community transmission with a fleet of mobile vans. Over the next 10 days, residents of these suburbs will receive free testing – with or without symptoms. 

On the advice of the Chief Health Officer, priority suburbs include Keilor Downs, Broadmeadows, Maidstone, Albanvale, Sunshine West, Hallam, Brunswick West, Fawkner, Reservoir and Pakenham, with Keillor Downs and Broadmeadows identified as the top two and focus of the next three days of testing.

“We have made some great progress in slowing the spread of coronavirus, but we are still seeing new cases in the community,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said. 

“This is the ninth consecutive day of double-digit case growth in Victoria, with a continuing and concerning number of new cases associated with transmission in households and families. 

“As a consequence, the Victorian Government has announced a tightening of the rules and has reduced the number of visitors you can have in your home to five. Outside of the home, people can now gather in groups of up to 10 only. 

“This move is important to keeping our community safe and to ensure COVID-19 does not get away from us. We do not want Victoria to suffer like many major cities around the world who have been devastated by the severe impacts of COVID-19. 

“Don’t take this disease lightly. if you feel unwell with any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you should stay home and get tested. If you have any fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste - stay home, don’t go in to work and don’t visit friends and family. Get tested and stay at home until you get the result. 

“It also remains critical to practice good hygiene in and outside the home – wash your hands regularly, cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and try to avoid touching your face. 

“Stay 1.5 metres away from anyone you don’t live with and avoid crowds, especially indoors. If you can keep working from home – you must keep working from home. 

“By practicing these common-sense behaviours we can help keep ourselves, our families and communities safe.”

Media inquiries:

Department of Health & Human Services Media Unit (03) 9096 8860 or press@dhhs.vic.gov.au

Cases by Local Government Area 

Please find the latest COVID-19 notifications by local government areas below.
    
Note:

• Residential location is the residential address provided when the case is notified. 
• This is not where they were infected and may not be where the case currently resides. 
• Numbers are correct as of 11.59pm last night but are subject to change as cases are followed up and data is analysed.
• The last column shows the number of current active cases in an LGA.  Active cases are defined as someone who has tested positive, is currently in isolation and being monitored by the Department and who has not yet recovered.