By Luke Voogt
Geelong and Surf Coast COVID-19 cases have remained level for the third consecutive day as cases increased state-wide by just one today.
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 1302, including 679 males and 623 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 136 confirmed cases may have been acquired through community transmission with more than 75,000 tests conducted to date, according to the department.
Currently 32 people are in hospital, including 13 patients in intensive care and 1159 people have recovered.
Another 773 cases were acquired through overseas travel and 389 through contact with known source, while four remain under investigation, according to the department.
Of the 1302 cases, 1037 occurred in metropolitan Melbourne and 237 in regional Victoria. 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.
“Everyone who’s unwell must isolate themselves and everyone who’s been told they’re in quarantine either as a returned traveller or close contact must do so.”
Meanwhile, police issued 67 fines in the past 24 hours across Victoria including 13 people playing poker at a private residence.
Police conducted 540 spot checks at Victorian homes, businesses and non-essential services during that time.
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.
