A SECOND individual in the Rural City of Wangaratta has tested positive to COVID-19, according to an announcement made by Northeast Health Wangaratta late on Good Friday. The person was tested by the hospital and is currently self-isolating at home, with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services in the process of undertaking contact tracing. There are no COVID-19 (Coronavirus) positive inpatients at Northeast Health Wangaratta. It comes as Premier Daniel Andrews announced yesterday the State of Emergency declared last month would be extended until midnight on May 11 to continue the measures designed to "flatten the curve" of COVID-19 and give the health system the best chance of managing the virus. The month-long extension will ensure the government can continue its strict enforcement of social distancing, isolation and other vital direction put in place by the Chief Health Officer. "There are positive signs our efforts are working - but if we relax now, our had-won gains will evaporate and people will die," said Mr Andrews. "This is an unprecedented crisis - we need to extend the State of Emergency to help slow the spread of the virus, protect our health system and save lives." The local case is one of 1281 total confirmed positive cases announced by the Department of Health and Human Services today, with 40 people in hospital, including 14 people in intensive care, while 1075 have recovered. More than 70,000 Victorians have been tested to date and 235 cases have been identified in regional Victoria. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton today urged Victorians to remain vigilant and not erode the gains made in preventing the spread of the virus over Easter. “Now is not the time for complacency - we still have a long way to go,” he said. “While we are starting to see some improvement in the rate of transmission, that rate could climb quickly if we lose focus. “We thank those Victorians who overwhelmingly are doing the right thing by staying at home, but we must keep at it to save lives. “Our message is clear: if you can stay home, you must stay home. "Stay at home, protect the health system, and save lives.” The department says there are only four reasons for Victorians to leave their home; food and supplies, medical care and care giving, exercise and work or education. Police have strong powers to enforce these directions and can issue on the spot fines including up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses, with over 900 fines issues across the state since March 28. Anyone experiencing a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath and have returned from overseas or been in contact with a confirmed case, should call Northeast Health Wangaratta COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 324 942.
