By Luke Voogt
Geelong has recorded another COVID-19 case in the past 24 hours as the state total increased by 10, according to the latest data.
Confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 62 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 increase comes as coronavirus cases across Victoria rose to 1291, including 672 males and 619 females, with people aged from babies to their early nineties.
Fourteen Victorians, aged from their 50s to 80s, have died from the disease so far.
In Victoria 122 confirmed cases may have been acquired through community transmission with more than 71,000 tests conducted to date, according to the department.
Another 721 cases were acquired through overseas travel and 439 through contact with known source, while nine remain under investigation.
Currently 40 people with COVID-19 are in hospital, including 15 patients in intensive care and 1118 people have recovered, the department said.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told a press conference this morning the recovery rate meant Victoria now had about 200 “active” coronavirus cases.
She congratulated Victorians on their “exemplary” behaviour adhering to COVID-19 restrictions over Easter but urged them to remain vigilant.
Of the total 1291 cases, 1029 occurred in metropolitan Melbourne and 236 in regional Victoria, according to the department. Several cases remain under investigation.
The result came as department today announced it would broaden its testing for COVID-19 to include anyone displaying symptoms regardless of age or occupation.
The department was able to expand testing due to a significant reduction in people returning from overseas and more labs “coming online”, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.
“We have been successful in decreasing the number of cases coming from overseas due to reduced international travel and quarantine measures,” Professor Sutton said.
“However we now need to focus on finding cases that are being transmitted in our community to further slow the spread.”
Anyone with symptoms including any new fever, chills or breathing problems, specifically cough, sore throat or shortness of breath will be eligible for testing.
Forty screening clinics are now open across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Healthcare workers and other frontline employees will have their test results returned faster, allowing them to get back to work as soon as possible, according to Professor Sutton.
“We must remain vigilant and not erode the gains made in slowing the spread of the virus,” he said.
“Now is not the time for complacency. We still have a long way to go.
“While we are starting to see some improvement in the rate of transmission, that rate could climb quickly if we lose focus.”
Meanwhile, on Easter Monday Victoria Police issued 99 fines while conducting 507 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state.
Among those fined were four people having a barbeque at a Brighton Beach bathing box and 10 people at a Montrose home with multiple cars “coming and going”, police said.
Police also fined 10 people at a backyard party in Strathdale and four people gathering outside shops in Baxter after visiting friends.
Since March 21, police have conducted a total of 20,933 spot checks across the state as part of Operation Sentinel.
Under the current State of Emergency Victorians are only permitted to leave their home 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.
