Geelong has recorded two more coronavirus cases overnight after the number almost doubled the day before.
According to the latest Department of Health and Human Services data, updated at 8.24am this morning, greater Geelong cases had risen from 21 to 23.
The extra two confirmed coronavirus cases followed a jump from 11 to 21 the day before.
The number of cases in the Surf Coast Shire remained at four today, after doubling the day before.
Victoria recorded its first coronavirus fatalities this week as three men, all in their 70s, died in Melbourne hospitals.
Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton warned everyone to take social distancing seriously during a press conference on Wednesday.
“This is the most important thing to get across,” Professor Sutton said.
“If you don’t have to be outside your home, stay at home.”
The department confirmed 54 new cases of COVID-19 in Victoria today, bringing the state total to 574.
The total number of cases includes 332 men and 241 women according to department data.
Of the 574 cases, 363 acquired coronavirus overseas, 163 through contact with a confirmed case and 16 in Australia through an unknown source.
The remaining 32 cases were still under investigation, according to the department.
Health professionals have tested 27,790 people for coronavirus and 171 infected people have recovered to date, according to the department.
All close contacts of confirmed cases and people arriving from overseas must self-isolate, the department warned.
“While most Victorians are voluntarily complying with requests to isolate, police have strong powers to enforce the direction if it’s required.
“Under [Victoria’s] State of Emergency people who don’t comply with a directive could receive a fine of up to $20,000. Companies face fines of up to $100,000.”
“We urge everyone to stay 1.5 metres away from everyone else, wash your hands often with soap and water and cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.”
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has a hotline for public information on COVID-19 which is 1800 675 398.
The rise follows federal government introducing stage two restrictions this week aimed at limiting social gatherings to a maximum of 10.
