Virus cases hit five-month low

Tara Murray

Active COVID-19 cases in Hume have fallen to their lowest level in five months.

Having peaked at 590 active cases on August 8, there were just six active cases in Hume as of Sunday.

The total was down to four last week, the lowest number since June 2, but two existing cases were reclassified to the Hume municipality on Sunday.

Of those cases, four are in the 3064 postcode, including the two cases which were reclassified.

There’s one active case in the 3047 postcode and one in the 3049 postcode, with no new cases in those two postcodes since October 24 and 25 respectively.

In Whittlesea, the number of active cases remains at two.

There is one case in Lalor and one case in Epping.

The figures in Hume and Whittlesea come as the state recorded a number of zero case days for the first time since June.

In the past eight days, there have been five days with no cases across the state, including the last three days.

The figures are good news after Premier Daniel Andrews last week eased a number of restrictions for the metro region, with more changes flagged for this weekend.

Cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops have reopened their doors and residents can freely leave their home.

Beauty, personal services and tattooing have reopened and outdoor social gatherings remain at a maximum of 10 people, but more than two households can be present.

Outdoor contact sport for children under 18 and outdoor non-contact sport for adults can begin, while outdoor pools can increase patron capacity to 50 people, subject to density limits.

Up to 10 people can attend a wedding, funerals are capped to 20 and up to 20 people, plus those required for the service, can take part in an outdoor religious ceremony.

Indoor services can be held with up to 10 people.

Two adults and their dependents from the same households can visit a family home once a day, provided the distance is within 25km.

From 11.59pm on Sunday, the state’s ‘ring of steel’ dividing metropolitan Melbourne from regional Victoria will be lifted and the 25km travel movement is expected to be lifted.

Gyms and fitness studios can reopen and hospitality businesses, religious services, weddings and funerals can increase their capacity numbers.