By Luke Voogt
Victoria recorded no new COVID-19 cases today as the Geelong total remained level for the sixth consecutive day, according to the latest data.
Confirmed greater Geelong coronavirus cases have remained on 63 since 11.59pm last Tuesday while Surf Coast cases have remained on 10 since April 10, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
State-wide coronavirus cases in Victoria remained on 1349, including 698 males and 651 females, from infants to people in their early nineties.
The department identified one new case in Victoria, which was later recorded as a New South Wales case due to the person’s place of residence.
Seventeen Victorians, aged from their 50s to 90s, have died after contracting coronavirus.
In Victoria 138 confirmed cases may have been acquired through community transmission with more than 104,000 tests conducted to date, according to the department.
Another 794 cases were acquired by overseas travel and 412 through contact with a known source, with five more still under investigation.
Currently 23 people are in hospital, including 11 patients in intensive care, and 1280 people have recovered.
Of the 1349 cases, 1095 occurred in metropolitan Melbourne and 216 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation.
The result comes as State Government today announced 100,000 Victorians would be tested for coronavirus over the next two weeks.
The “massive” testing “blitz” at 43 sites across Victoria would help government consider relaxing its State of Emergency restrictions, due for review on May 11, Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“By increasing the testing for coronavirus and widening the testing criteria, it gives us more evidence and therefore more options when it comes to slowly lifting restrictions,” Mr Andrews said.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton welcomed the expansion and praised Victorians for abiding by COVID-19 health directives.
“Victorians have done a remarkable job sticking to the coronavirus restrictions, and by staying home have saved lives,” Professor Sutton said.
“We are now asking Victorians to again play their part and get tested, because the more tests we do, the more data we have about the prevalence of coronavirus in the community.”
“People with commons symptoms of coronavirus including fever, breathing difficulties, breathlessness, cough, sore throat, fatigue or tiredness and anyone who has any symptoms, no matter how mild, such as a runny nose or scratchy throat are encouraged to get tested.”
Meanwhile police fined 59 people yesterday for breaching COVID-19 restrictions while conducting 732 spot checks at Victorian homes, businesses and non-essential services.
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.
