By Brendan Rees
The number of reported Covid-19 cases for Casey City has risen to 51 – making it the seventh highest area in the state, according to the latest health data.
It comes as the State Government expanded its testing clinics to 40 in a bid to “drive down” community transmissions, which totalled 132 cases in Victoria.
Testing will be open at GP clinics and the 40 coronavirus screening clinics to anyone suffering symptoms such as fever and shortness of breath.
The Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services figures showed the total number of coronavirus cases in Victoria was 1,299 on Wednesday 15 April – an increase of eight in 24 hours.
In other neighbouring local government areas, the number of cases in Greater Dandenong remained steady with 16 cases while Cardinia had 11. A further breakdown of cases showed Stonnington remained the highest in the state with 88 confirmed cases, which included suburbs such as Toorak and South Yarra.
To date, 14 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria. The total number of cases is made up of 674 men and 625 women, with people aged from babies to their early nineties.
Currently 39 people are in hospital, including 18 patients in intensive care. 1,137 people have recovered. More than 72,000 tests have been completed.
Meanwhile, in the past 24 hours (Wednesday 15 April) Victoria Police officers issued 52 fines to those breaching the directions in relation to staying at home, restricted activity and isolation directions as well as 824 spot checks.
Fines have included multiple instances of private gatherings at residential properties, ten youths gathering at a skate park in Greater Dandenong, six people playing tennis together on closed public tennis court in Maribyrnong and eight youths socialising together at a closed school.
On the spot fines includes up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton 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.”
The current testing criteria is available at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/health-services-and-general-practitioners-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
