By Luke Voogt
Geelong has recorded no new COVID-19 cases for eight days as the 18th Victorian died from the disease yesterday.
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.
A woman in her 80s died in hospital yesterday after contracting coronavirus while 17 other Victorians, aged from their 50s to 90s, have died from the disease.
Victorian coronavirus cases today rose by three to 1354, including 701 males and 653 females, from infants to people in their early nineties.
In Victoria 139 confirmed cases may have been acquired through community transmission with more than 111,000 tests conducted to date, according to the department.
Currently 18 people are in hospital, including nine patients in intensive care, and 1287 people have recovered.
Of the 1354 cases, 1099 occurred in metropolitan Melbourne and 217 in regional Victoria. Several cases remain under investigation.
The result comes as State Government this week announced 100,000 Victorians would be tested for coronavirus over the next two weeks.
The “massive” testing “blitz” at 43 sites across Victoria will help government consider relaxing its State of Emergency restrictions, due for review on May 11.
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 53 people yesterday for breaching COVID-19 restrictions while conducting 586 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.
