Geelong coronavirus cases have risen to nine with another two on the Surf Coast, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on Monday.
The department confirmed one extra case in Geelong on Sunday after the number rose to eight on Saturday.
The rise comes as the department confirmed 61 one new cases of COVID-19 in Victoria on Sunday, bringing total to 355 for the state, it announced on Monday.
“The new cases include 34 men and 25 women, with people aged early-teens to mid-eighties. Two cases remain under investigation,” the department said in a statement.
“At the present time, there are six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission.
“Currently six people are recovering in hospital, and 97 people have recovered. More than 23,700 Victorians have been tested to date.”
Of the total 355 cases, 290 occurred in metropolitan Melbourne and 35 in regional Victoria.
All close contacts of confirmed cases and people arriving from overseas must self-isolate, the department warned.
“While most Victorians are voluntarily complying with requests to isolate, police have strong powers to enforce the direction if it’s required.
“Under [Victoria’s] State of Emergency people who don’t comply with a directive could receive a fine of up to $20,000. Companies face fines of up to $100,000.”
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton warned everyone to take social distancing seriously during these “unprecedented times”.
“Social distancing will save lives,” Professor Sutton said.
“Everyone needs to comply with restrictions in place to keep yourself, your loved ones and the whole community safe.
“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.
“We urge everyone to stay 1.5 metres away from everyone else, wash your hands often with soap and water and cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.”
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has a hotline for public information on COVID-19 which is 1800 675 398.
