By Mitchell Clarke
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Cardinia Shire as of Monday 6 April stands at 10, while neighbouring local government areas Casey, Yarra Ranges and Greater Dandenong reach 40, 20 and 12 respectively.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Victoria is 1158 – an increase of 23 from Sunday 5 April, as testing for the virus expands.
Cases range in age from babies to their early nineties and currently 45 people remain in hospital with 11 patients in intensive care.
A total of 620 people have recovered from the virus.
There are 88 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission.
So far, more than 57,000 tests have been conducted to date however that’s set to increase as the Department for Health and Human Services (DHHS) announce Victoria’s testing criteria has been broadened.
The new criteria will include people whose employment and contact with the broader public may place them at higher risk of exposure to any virus which may be circulating in the community.
Any person over the age of 65-years-old, healthcare workers, education workers and emergency service workers displaying clinical symptoms such as a fever or acute respiratory infection will now be tested for Covid-19.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer professor Brett Sutton said the changes are aimed at striking a balance between identifying cases that are not linked to known travel or other risks and maintaining current suppression efforts targeted at returned travellers and contacts of current cases.
“The number of community acquired cases contracted from an unknown source are continuing to rise – the expansion of the testing criteria will allow us to get a clearer picture of how much the virus is circulating,” professor Sutton said.
“These new criteria do not mean our Stage 3 restrictions should be relaxed. The reverse is true, we must continue these actions to flatten the curve.”
There are only four reasons for Victorians to leave their home: food and supplies, medical care and care giving, exercise, and work or education.
Police have been issued with strong powers to enforce these directions and can issue on the spot fines, including 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.
“Social distancing will save lives. Everyone needs to comply with restrictions in place to keep yourself, your loved ones and the whole community safe,” professor Sutton added.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has a hotline for public information on Covid-19, which is 1800 675 398.
Further information is also available at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.
