Victoria was notified of 12 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday.
11 were locally acquired cases linked to the recent interstate incursions of COVID-19. One case was notified in an international traveller in hotel quarantine.
There are 190 active cases in Victoria – 179 locally acquired and 11 overseas acquired cases.
There are five COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria. Two cases are in intensive care (including one case on a ventilator).
The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,914.
Update: Current restrictions
For current restrictions, see the Victorian Government’s statement: Extended lockdown and stronger borders to keep us safe
Outbreaks
Of the 11 new locally acquired cases:
All have been linked to the current outbreaks and all were in quarantine for the entirety of their infectious period.
Two are linked to Ms Frankie’s – they are patrons who dined on July 15.
Two are linked to Trinity Grammar School – both are household contacts of an existing case.
Two are household contacts linked to Bacchus Marsh Grammar.
Two are household contacts linked to AAMI Park.
Two are household contacts linked to the Coolaroo outbreak.
And one is a household contact linked to Young and Jacksons.
There are currently more than 20,000 Primary Close Contacts identified by the Department and more than 380 active exposure sites listed on the website.
Household engagement teams made 628 visits yesterday to Primary Close Contacts.
More than 6000 primary close contacts have been cleared.
The Department reminds Primary Close Contacts that a negative Day 13 test result is a requirement to obtain clearance from quarantine.
Clearance is formally provided by the Department in writing (usually email) following a phone call.
Exposure sites published at Case alerts – public exposure sites.
The Department regularly manages exposure sites that it doesn’t publish online, particularly if these sites represent lower-risk exposures, or if they have comprehensive record-keeping and contact tracing measures, or if they identify small, private locations.
We continue to ask every Victorian to check exposure sites regularly, as they are subject to change based on follow-up interviews and further investigation.
Unexpected COVID-19 wastewater detections
There have been two COVID-19 fragment wastewater detections. One in Werribee and the second in the Tarneit area.
Suburbs in the detections include Werribee, Tarneit and Truganina.
This is in addition to a previously announced strong detection in Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale.
The wastewater detections may be due to someone who has had COVID-19, is no longer infectious and is continuing to shed the virus – or it may be due to an active but undiagnosed case in that area.
Anyone who lives, works or has visited Werribee, Tarneit and Truganina between 21-23 July, or Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale between 20 to 22 July, is urged to watch for the slightest of COVID-19 symptoms and get tested as soon as possible if any symptoms develop.
The wastewater testing program is designed as an early warning system and a cautious approach is always taken when these detections are found.
The Department of Health has increased wastewater testing in the area and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
More information is available at Wastewater testing.
Update: Victorian Travel Permit Changes
The travel permit system now designates areas across Australia and New Zealand as green, orange, red or extreme risk zones based on public health risk. These border permit changes reflect the different levels of risk across red zones in Australia.
The Chief Health Officer has declared all of NSW an Extreme Risk Zone under Victoria’s travel permit system from 9:00pm Friday 23 July. This declaration is backdated 14 days and is effective as at 9.00pm on Friday 9 July, 2021.
If people enter Victoria from an Extreme Risk Zone without an exemption, they will be put on a return flight or placed in 14 days mandatory quarantine in the COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria program. Exemptions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
Victorian residents returning from a Red Zone who have been in an Extreme Risk Zone in the last 14 days can only enter Victoria with an exemption, exception or another valid permit, such as a Specified Worker Permit.
Red Zone permits for the ACT, Norfolk Island and South Australia will function as they have previously.
If you are a Victorian resident, you may enter Victoria from a red zone on a valid red zone permit. You must return straight home (or to your accommodation) in Victoria, and self-quarantine for 14 days from the day you enter. Get tested within 72 hours of arrival and again on day 13 of your home quarantine.
If you attempt to enter via an airport or seaport without an exemption, exception or valid permit you will be fined up to $5452. Non-Victorian residents will be sent back.
See more about Victoria’s travel permit system at Victorian travel permit system.
Update: Vaccinations
Yesterday, 13,953 vaccine doses were administered by Victoria’s state-commissioned services.
The total number of doses administered through these services is 1,529,832.
Every week, more appointments are being opened up at state clinics across Victoria and people who are eligible to be vaccinated are encouraged to plan ahead and book as soon as they can.
There are now 50 open access vaccination centres operating across Victoria, including the 50th hub at Bayside Shopping Centre in Frankston. In the coming weeks and months there will be more pop-up community vaccination clinics in operation.
Victoria’s online booking system is now live at Book your vaccine appointment
