By Laura Michell
There are seven active coronavirus cases across Whittlesea and Hume, new Department of Health and Human Services data shows.
According to the department, the number of cases of COVID-19 in Whittlesea has risen to 26 – up from 24 on Tuesday.
However, just four of those cases are considered to be active.
Hume has 40 confirmed cases, of which three are classed as active.
Across the state, there are 1454 confirmed cases – an increase of 14 from yesterday.
There are 153 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission.
Eight people are in hospital, including six patients in intensive care and 1,322 people have recovered.
The new confirmed cases include 13 new cases of COVID-19 from the Cedar Meats processing facility in Brooklyn.
There are 62 cases linked to the meatworks, which has closed for 14 days while it is thoroughly cleaned.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said up to 100,000 Victorians would be tested for coronavirus as part of a major testing blitz across state.
“The main aim of this increase in testing is to improve access and actively search for cases, allowing us to gain a better picture of this virus and make informed decisions for Victoria,” Professor said.
“We are asking Victorians to again play their part and get tested if they have symptoms, because the more tests we do, the more data we have about the prevalence of coronavirus in the community.
“People with common symptoms of coronavirus including fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell – however mild – are encouraged to get tested.”
A drive-through testing clinic has opened at Pacific Epping, while testing is also being done at Northern Hospital’s fever clinic which is next door to DPV Health.
For more information on testing, visit: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
