By Luke Voogt
Geelong has recorded its first new coronavirus case in more than a week despite “no net increase” in the total state-wide, according to the latest data.
Confirmed greater Geelong coronavirus cases increased to 63 as of midnight last night while Surf Coast cases have remained on 10 since April 10, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The increase was the first new coronavirus case in Geelong since early last Tuesday.
Victorian cases remained on 1336 today, including 695 males and 641 females, despite two new cases, according the department.
“Two existing cases were reclassified to another state as per national protocols – meaning the overall number of cases has not changed,” the department stated.
Fifteen Victorians, aged from their 50s to 80s, have died from the disease so far.
In Victoria 135 confirmed cases may have been acquired through community transmission with more than 90,000 tests conducted to date, according to the department.
Currently 29 people are in hospital, including 12 patients in intensive care and 1243 people have recovered.
Of the 1336 cases, 1057 occurred in metropolitan Melbourne and 242 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation.
Recent daily fluctuations in new COVID-19 cases resulted from increased testing and travellers returning from overseas on repatriation flights, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.
“The increases we are seeing are still small and this is encouraging,” Professor Sutton said.
“They prove that our physical distancing measures are working.
“But this is not a time to relax our strong approach as this disease can get away from you very quickly, as we have seen in cities overseas.
“We thank those Victorians who overwhelmingly are doing the right thing by staying at home, but we must keep at it to save lives.”
Meanwhile, police issued 95 fines yesterday while conducting 1043 at Victorian homes, businesses and non-essential services.
The fines included three people taking drugs in short-stay accommodation, and an unlicensed driver and a passenger with a weapon in Box Hill, according to Victoria Police
Since March 21, police have conducted a total of 26,857 spot checks as part of Operation Sentinel.
Under the current State of Emergency Victorians are only permitted to leave 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.
