Geelong and Surf Coast COVID-19 cases remained level in the past 24 hours as the number of Victorians to contract the disease rose by eight.
Confirmed coronavirus cases remained on 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.
Across Victoria cases rose to 1299, including 674 males and 625 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 132 confirmed cases may have been acquired through community transmission with more than 72,000 tests conducted to date, according to the department.
Another 775 cases were acquired through overseas travel and 385 through contact with known source, while seven remain under investigation, according to the department.
Currently 39 people with COVID-19 are in hospital, including 18 patients in intensive care and 1137 people have recovered, the department said.
Of the total 1299 cases, 1033 occurred in metropolitan Melbourne and 236 in regional Victoria, according to the department. Several cases remain under investigation.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton today urged Victorians to stay vigilant and not erode the gains made in slowing the spread of the virus.
“Now is not the time for complacency. We still have a long way to go,” Professor Sutton said.
“While we are starting to see some improvement in the rate of transmission, that rate could climb quickly if we lose focus.
“We thank those Victorians who overwhelmingly are doing the right thing by staying at home, but we must keep at it to save lives.
The new figures come as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews today announced $420 million in land tax relief for landlords and $80 million in rental assistance.
Under the measures landlords who provide rent relief for tenants could be eligible for a 25 per cent discount on their land tax, with the remainder to be deferred until March 2021.
The measures, dating back to March 29, allow tenants who have registered a revised agreement with Consumer Affairs to apply for rental assistance.
Tenants will also be eligible if they have gone through mediation, have less than $5000 in savings and are still paying at least 30 per cent of their income in rent.
“More than ever, we need to be working in partnership. Landlords working with tenants. Tenants working with landlords,” Mr Andrews said.
“And government willing to help those most in need.”
Meanwhile, police issued 52 fines in the past 24 hours while conducting 824 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state.
Among those fined were ten youths gathering at a skate park in Dandenong and six people playing tennis together in Maribyrnong.
Since March 21, police have conducted a total of 21,757 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.
