Geelong and the Surf Coast recorded no new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours as the number of Victorians to contract the disease rose by just three.
Confirmed coronavirus cases remained on 60 for greater Geelong while Surf Coast cases remained on 10, as of midnight last night, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The department reported no new deaths yesterday. Fourteen Victorians, aged from their 50s to their 80s, have died so far after contracting the disease.
The rise of three brought the state total to 1268, including 660 males and 608 females. Cases range in age from babies to their early nineties.
In Victoria 119 confirmed cases may have been acquired through community transmission with more than 69,000 tests conducted to date, according to the department.
“Currently 44 people are in hospital – including 16 patients in intensive care – and 1015 people have recovered,” the department said.
Of the total 1268 cases, 1015 occurred in Melbourne and 234 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation.
The slowdown in the spread comes as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews today extended the State of Emergency until May 11 to “save lives”.
Before the announcement the State of Emergency had been due to end on Monday.
“There are positive signs our efforts are working – but if we relax now, our hard-won gains will evaporate and people will die,” Mr Andrews said.
“This is an unprecedented crisis – we need to extend the State of Emergency to help slow the spread of the virus, protect our health system and save lives.”
Under the State of Emergency Victorians are only permitted to leave for food and supplies, medical care and care-giving, exercise, and work or education.
Police can issue on-the-spot fines, including up to $1652 for individuals and up to $9913 for businesses.
Under the State of Emergency people can also face fines of up to $20,000 in court. Companies face fines of up to $100,000.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton urged Victorians to stay vigilant during the long weekend.
“The rules are clear – and they don’t change over Easter: if you can stay at home, you must stay at home,” Professor Sutton said.
“This is tough for many families, but no Easter holiday is worth a life.
“This is not a normal Easter. Travelling, visiting friends, heading to the beach or staying in regional Victoria could see all our hard-won gains evaporate.”
More than 450 people will leave their city hotel in a staged procedure today following 14 days of mandatory quarantine as returned international travellers.
The exit from quarantine will be managed to maintain appropriate physical distancing across a large number of people.
People are being supported to travel home or to other states, according to the department.
Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 hotline: 1800 675 398.
