Coronavirus in Ballarat: four days without COVID growth but Moorabool and Golden Plains jump again

Ballarat has gone without a new COVID-19 case for a fourth consecutive day, but adjoining shires are continuing to see growing numbers. There remains 10 active cases in Ballarat, with a total of 24 cases diagnosed throughout the duration of the pandemic. The positive news comes as authorities get on top of an aged care breakout in a Ballarat Health Services facility. There were five people connected to that outbreak. There have not been any updates today but as of Tuesday, there were three people in hospital in a stable condition and one in intensive care. Shires joining Ballarat are continuing to see steady growth. Moorabool has climbed to 12 active cases, that figure having doubled in the past five days. Golden Plains has jumped back up to eight cases, with a two more recorded as active in the past 24 hours. Further down the highway, Greater Geelong has jumped sharply with 13 new active cases in the last two days, including nine today. Overall, Victoria has recorded 295 new cases of coronavirus since yesterday, with the total number of cases now at 9304. The overall total has increased by 255 due to 40 cases being reclassified - largely due to duplication. Within Victoria, 34 of the new cases are linked to outbreaks or complex cases and 261 are under investigation. There have been nine new deaths from COVID-19 reported since yesterday. They were one man in his 60s, one man in his 70s, three men and two women in their 80s and two women in their 90s. Seven of the nine deaths are linked to aged care facilities. To date, 92 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria. In Victoria at the current time: Cases currently linked to public housing in North Melbourne, Flemington and Carlton are as follows: Active aged care outbreaks with the highest cumulative case numbers are as follows: Single cases in staff members at the following aged care facilities have also been notified to the department - Kalyna Aged Care in Delahey, Doutta Galla Lynch's Bridge in Kensington and Estia Health Aged Care in Glen Waverley. Two cases have also been identified at Mecwacare John Atchison Centre in Hoppers Crossing. Cases currently linked to key outbreaks are as follows: As investigations are undertaken throughout the day, these outbreak totals are likely to change as the public health team identify links between cases and identified outbreaks. Organisation based outbreaks totals include contacts as well as employees/residents/staff/students of that location/business. People living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are required to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four reasons. There will be some reasons not to wear a face covering. For example, those who have a medical reason, children under 12 or during strenuous exercise. Stage 3 "Stay at Home" restrictions are in force across metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire. Everyone who feels even the slightest cold or flu-like symptom must assume they have the virus until a test result proves otherwise. Anybody with symptoms or awaiting a result should self-isolate at home. Support is available. You are never alone. The Courier has removed the paywall from our stories relating to health warnings and safety of the community in regards to the coronavirus. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.

Coronavirus in Ballarat: four days without COVID growth but Moorabool and Golden Plains jump again

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