UPDATE:
SWAN Hill District Health (SHDH) has confirmed a person from the Swan Hill local government area has tested positive to COVID-19.
SHDH released a statement on Monday morning saying the test was conducted at the Swan Hill acute respiratory assessment clinic.
The person has mild symptoms and is isolating at home.
SHDH said it was in daily contact with the person and is closely monitoring their health status.
The health service added it was working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to identify close contacts through the contract tracing team.
“It is important that anyone who is identified as a close contact present for a test,” SHDH said in a statement.
SHDH chief executive officer Peter Abraham said the potential for outbreaks from any confirmed case of coronavirus is ever present and is not just a metropolitan concern.
“Just because we don’t have the high-rise buildings and the density of living and working of those in Melbourne, doesn’t give cause for complacency,” Mr Abraham said.
“Swan Hill District Health is urging the community to remain vigilant and to continue practicing physical distancing and good hand hygiene, working from home where possible and accessing testing if you become unwell with COVID-19 symptoms.
“Importantly, if you feel unwell with even mild COVID-19 symptoms, including a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, chills and sweats and loss of sense of smell, you should stay home and get tested.”
EARLIER:
SWAN Hill municipality has recorded its fifth case of COVID-19.
The fifth case was confirmed on Sunday afternoon by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
It was one of 272 new cases since Saturday, bringing the total number of cases to 3799.
The overall total has increased by 239, after 34 cases were reclassified – largely due to duplication.
It’s unclear if the person tested positive in Swan Hill or still resides at an address in the Swan Hill municipality.
The Guardian has contacted DHHS for clarification.
It comes just three weeks after the region recorded its fourth positive case.
Within Victoria, 22 of the new cases are linked to outbreaks, 25 were identified through routine testing and 226 are under investigation. No new cases have been detected in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
There has been one death reported since yesterday, with a man in his 70s passing away in hospital overnight. To date, 24 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.
In Victoria at the current time:
- 562 cases may indicate community transmission
- 1484 cases are currently active in Victoria
- 57 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 16 in intensive care
- 2289 people have recovered from the virus
- Of the total cases, 3415 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 288 are from regional Victoria
- Total cases include 2017 men and 1772 women
- More than 1,125,400 tests have been processed
Stage three Stay at Home restrictions are in force across metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.
“These restrictions have become necessary because of the sharp increase in cases,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, said.
“If you live in these areas, there are only four reasons to leave your home: shopping for food and essential items; care and caregiving; daily exercise; and work and study - if you can’t do it from home.
“Restaurants and cafes are now takeaway and delivery services only, and beauty and personal services are closed. Entertainment and cultural venues are also closed. Community sport may not occur.
“This Stay at Home direction applies to your principal place of residence – which means you need to stay home and not use a holiday home.
“These are tough measures, but this virus is not selective - it will impact anyone it encounters, and personal contact is the clear source of its transmission. We need everyone to do their part and ensure it is stopped in its tracks.”
