An increase of 49 confirmed COVID-19 cases has seen Victoria’s total number of cases increase to 1085, while the state recorded its seventh death from the virus as a man in his 80s died in hospital.
Mitchell Shire recorded two additional cases yesterday, bringing its total to nine cases while Macedon Ranges Shire remains at five and the City of Whittlesea at 15.
Of the 1085 cases, 62 may have been acquired through community transmission.
Cases have been recorded across all age groups, from infants to people in their 90s.
Currently 37 people are in hospital – including seven patients in intensive care – and 476 people have recovered.
Victoria’s chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton today stressed the importance for Victorians to get a flu vaccine ahead of the coming influenza season.
“Influenza is a serious illness that kills many Victorians each year. With COVID-19 now also circulating in the state, a widespread influenza outbreak would be a devastating double-whammy for our health services to cope with,” he said.
“The best way to prevent flu is by getting vaccinated each year and I encourage everyone to get their annual flu shot from today.”
“It is also important that workplaces that are still operating continue to offer their usual employee influenza immunisation programs.”
Child care free
Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday announced child care will become free so parents can continue to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About $1.6 billion is being spent by the Federal Government to offer free child care across the board to all parents.
The government will pay half of the operating costs for Australia’s 13,000 child care and early learning centres.
Police ramp up spot checks
In the 24 hours to 8am this morning, Victoria Police conducted more than 1500 checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state, as part of Operation Sentinel, and issued 16 fines.
Since the operation began on March 21, close to 12,000 spot checks have been conducted.
Daylight savings ends
Daylight savings ends this weekend and fire brigades are encouraging people to add checking their smoke alarms to their to-do list while they stay home.
At 3am Sunday morning, the clocks will be turned back an hour to 2am, giving us more light in the morning.