By Mitchell Clarke
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Cardinia shire has risen to nine, bringing the state’s tally to 1085 overnight – as of Friday 3 April.
The state’s tally has risen by 49 cases since Thursday 2 April, according to the data released by the Department of Health and Human Services.
In nearby local government areas, Casey has 35 confirmed cases, Yarra Ranges recorded 19 while Greater Dandenong, Baw Baw and Knox have six, five and 10, respectively.
There are 62 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission. More than 51,000 tests have been conducted to date.
A man in his 80s died in hospital on Thursday 2 April – taking the number of people who have died in Victoria from coronavirus to seven.
The total number of cases includes 577 men and 504 women. Cases range in age from babies to their early nineties.
Currently 37 people are in hospital – including seven patients in intensive care – and 476 people have recovered.
Authorities continue to maintain a blunt approach – there are only four reasons to leave the house – for food and supplies, medical care and care giving, exercise, and work or education.
Victoria Police have been issued with strong powers to enforce these directions and can issue spot fines of up to $1652 for individuals and up to $9913 for businesses.
Under the State of Emergency people who don’t comply could also be taken to court and receive a fine of up to $20,000. Companies face fines of up to $100,000.
As of 8am on Friday 3 April, Victoria Police conducted 1542 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services over a 24-hour period as part of Operation Sentinel.
Over that period, 16 fines have been issued bringing the total number of fines issued to 39.
“We are getting a significant amount of public information about people who aren’t complying,” Victoria Police deputy commissioner Shane Patton said.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the unprecedented events meant the community would notice “big changes”.
“Life is going to look very different for a while but if we don’t make these changes now, the virus will continue to spread, and our health system will be overwhelmed,” he said.
“To flatten the curve, we are all going to have to sacrifice a lot. But it may be the most important thing we ever do.”
Meanwhile, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer professor Brett Sutton has urged Victorians to get a flu vaccine ahead of the upcoming influenza season.
“Influenza is a serious illness that kills many Victorians each year. With Covid-19 now also circulating in the state, a widespread influenza outbreak would be a devastating double-whammy for our health services to cope with,” he said.
“The best way to prevent flu is by getting vaccinated each year and I encourage everyone to get their annual flu shot from now.
“It is also important that workplaces that are still operating continue to offer their usual employee influenza immunisation programs.”
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has launched a Covid-19 public information hotline, available at 1800 675 398.
