Victoria has just one active COVID-19 case, as state records 22nd straight day of zeros
There is only a single active case of COVID-19 left in Victoria, as the state recorded its 22nd straight day of no new coronavirus cases or deaths on Saturday.
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley today said the one remaining person with COVID-19 was in hospital but was not in intensive care.
The most recent results come from 11,333 coronavirus tests after Victoria's testing levels remained above 17,000 for the majority of the week.
The single suspected case that was under review by health authorities on Friday, of an asymptomatic woman in her 80s, was determined to be negative following further testing.
Mr Foley urged anyone in Altona or surrounding suburbs with even the mildest symptoms to get tested after trace samples of coronavirus were found in wastewater, after eight weeks of negative samples.
"Out of an abundance of caution we are urging anybody in Altona and the surrounding catchment areas, even with the slightest of symptoms, to get tested. Get tested today," Mr Foley said.
Late yesterday the Department of Health and Human Services urged residents of Altona, and suburbs in the Altona catchment, including Altona Meadows, Laverton, Point Cook and Sanctuary Lakes, or people who visited the area between Monday, November 16 and Wednesday, November 18, to get tested if they developed even slight symptoms.
But Mr Foley said he still expected Premier Daniel Andrews to make further announcements about the use of masks and further easing of restrictions tomorrow, "so Victorians can plan for a COVID-safe Christmas".
The state's most recent case – its 20,345th – was confirmed back on October 30.
Twenty-two consecutive days with no new cases and no deaths is the state's longest stretch of so-called ''doughnut days'' since the end of February.
A 48-hour hard border closure between Victoria and South Australia came into effect on Thursday night after traces of the virus were found in wastewater in Portland and Benalla.
The fragments were deemed significant because wastewater samples from both regional towns, which are located on major freight routes, were clear of the virus just last week.
Changes expected to come into effect from 11.59pm on Sunday, November 22 include the opening of all retail and beauty/personal services able to offer services where face coverings need to be removed.
Under further easing of restrictions, the hospitality industry can have indoor and outdoor seated service with a group limit of 20, density limits and an indoor cap of 100 patrons and an outdoor cap of 200 patrons.
There will be no exercise restrictions in the last step of the reopening plan before so-called "COVID-normal" and exercise facilities will be allowed to open with density limits. Organised contact sports can resume for all ages with limitations on spectators.
Workers will still be required to work from home if they can under the next stage of restrictions but up to 50 people will be allowed to gather socially outdoors and up to 10 visitors will be allowed in homes.
Drive through testing
- Wyndham City Council Civic Centre's outdoor carpark, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee. Open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm.
- ICP Health, Wootten Road Reserve, 25-51 Wootten Road, Tarneit. Open Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
Walk through testing
- Werribee South Foreshore Reserve, Beach Road (opposite Werribee Coast Guard near the corner of O'Connors Road). Open Saturday, November 21 to Sunday, November 22 9am to 4pm.
- Tarneit Community and Learning Centre, 150 Sunset Views Boulevard, Tarneit. Open Saturday, November 21 to Sunday, November 29. Hours are 9am to 4pm.
Martin Boulton is EG Editor at The Age and Shortlist Editor at the Sydney Morning Herald