It is the scenario we all hoped could be avoided by the gradual easing of restrictions.
However, it is the reality that we all face. Or is it?
While figures show a significant number of spikes and community transmissions in Victoria, the percentage of those occurring outside of Melbourne is reducing each time figures are released.
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On April 1 with Victoria having 954 identified cases some 183, or 19.2 per cent, were identified outside of metropolitan areas.
Fast forward to yesterday (Wednesday, July 15) with Victoria sitting on 4448 identified cases, and the 305 cases confirmed outside Melbourne make up only 6.8 per cent of those statewide.
With the decision made to regress metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchel Shire to stage 3 restrictions last week, this is a trend those of us in the regions hope will continue.
Of course it is worth noting that the virus can take a couple of weeks before symptoms become obvious.
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When you consider that prior to metropolitan restrictions being re-introduced regional tourism was being encouraged, there is a possibility that spikes will be seen in regional areas in the coming weeks.
If that happens state and federal politicians will have some difficult decisions to make.
However, if Victoria's regions remain on comparatively low numbers there will be a case for the further easing of restrictions in those areas.
The difficult part of that is that no-one knows for sure what will happen, and it is a case of "wait and see".
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While that is not the news the public wants to hear, when businesses are unsure if they can keep their doors open, and people are worried they might not have a job next month - it does offer hope, and in uncertain times hope might be all some people have.
As a community we can all play our own small part by adhering to social distancing rules and keeping up good hygiene levels.
The figures:
Victoria had recorded 238 new cases of coronavirus overnight Tuesday June 14, with the total number of confirmed cases on Wednesday 4448.
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The overall total has increased by 224, after 14 cases were reclassified – largely due to duplication.
Within Victoria, 29 of the new cases are linked to outbreaks and 209 are under investigation.
One new death has been reported since yesterday, a woman in her 90s who died in hospital. To date, 27 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.
In Victoria at the current time:
- 790 cases may indicate community transmission
- 1931 cases are currently active in Victoria
- 105 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 27 in intensive care
- 2488 people have recovered from the virus
- Of the total cases, 4017 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 305 are from regional Victoria
- Total cases include 2329 men and 2109 women
- More than 1,197,300 tests have been processed
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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 are 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,” Dr Sutton said.
“Restaurants and cafes are now takeaway and delivery services only, and beauty and personal services are closed.
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“Entertainment and cultural venues are also closed. Community sport may not occur.
“This Stay at Home direction applies 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.”
Figures by Local Government area:
HUME464235WYNDHAM362249MELBOURNE334209MOONEE VALLEY319209BRIMBANK315156MORELAND234111BANYULE16263CASEY15534WHITTLESEA15371MELTON14569DAREBIN12356STONNINGTON12321YARRA10657MARIBYRNONG10459BOROONDARA10123INTERSTATE813MONASH7923GREATER GEELONG767PORT PHILLIP7520HOBSONS BAY7239GLEN EIRA699MORNINGTON PENINSULA695MANNINGHAM6526WHITEHORSE6334FRANKSTON443KINGSTON437BAYSIDE404GREATER DANDENONG4011UNKNOWN4037NILLUMBIK3710CARDINIA3411YARRA RANGES325KNOX305MITCHELL2914MAROONDAH258GREATER SHEPPARTON171GREATER BENDIGO133WELLINGTON130MACEDON RANGES123BALLARAT110MOIRA110LATROBE101SURF COAST101BAW BAW83BASS COAST73SOUTH GIPPSLAND72CAMPASPE61MOUNT ALEXANDER60WARRNAMBOOL61ARARAT50HORSHAM52MILDURA50MOORABOOL52OVERSEAS50SWAN HILL51GOLDEN PLAINS43BENALLA30LODDON30MANSFIELD30NORTHERN GRAMPIANS30EAST GIPPSLAND21GANNAWARRA20HEPBURN20MURRINDINDI20SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS20STRATHBOGIE20WANGARATTA20ALPINE10CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS10CORANGAMITE10GLENELG10MOYNE10WEST WIMMERA10WODONGA10YARRIAMBIACK10BULOKE00COLAC OTWAY00HINDMARSH00INDIGO00PYRENEES00QUEENSCLIFFE00TOWONG00TOTAL44481931
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