There are no new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Ballarat, despite Victoria testing more than 37,000 people across the state on Thursday.
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There hasn't been a new case in the city since mid-May, while Hepburn Shire (3), Moorabool (3) and Golden Plains (1) also remain steady.
Victoria recorded 288 new cases - it's biggest yet - swamping the record of 191, but seven cases were reclassified largely due to duplication.
It is the first time the state has confirmed more than 200 cases in a single day.
There are currently more than 1100 active cases across the state.
Geelong and Bendigo's active cases have been reduced in a somewhat positive sign for regional Victoria, however there are still concerns among the Ballarat health community that 'it takes only one'.
Ballarat doctors fear a lack of resources and access to testing in the region could leave the city wide-open for an outbreak of the virus, which has killed 22 people in the state.
Twenty-six of the new cases are linked to outbreaks and 262 are under investigation. No cases have been detected in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
"It was always going to get worse before it got better and we are doing more tests than ever - not by a small margin but by a great margin," Premier Daniel Andrews said earlier today.
The premier also requested Victorians wore masks when leaving home, especially if they were unable to maintain social distancing such as at a supermarket.
In brief:
- 509 cases may indicate community transmission
- 1172 cases are currently active in Victoria
- 47 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 12 in intensive care
- 2,183 people have recovered from the virus
- Of the total cases, 3,002 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 272 are from regional Victoria
- Total cases include 1,778 men and 1,576 women
- More than 1,068,000 tests have been processed to date
Stage 3 "Stay at Home" restrictions are in force across metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.
"These restrictions have become necessary because of the sharp increase in cases," said Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.
"If you live in these areas, there'll be only four reasons to leave your home: shopping for food and essential items; care and caregiving; daily exercise; and work and study, if you can't do it from home.
"Restaurants and cafes will return to takeaway and delivery services only, and beauty and personal services will need to close. Entertainment and cultural venues will need to close. Community sport will also stop.
"This Stay at Home direction will apply to your principal place of residence - which means you need to stay home and not use a holiday home.
"These are tough measures, but this virus is not selective - it will impact anyone it encounters, and personal contact is the clear source of its transmission. We need everyone to do their part and ensure it is stopped in its tracks."
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