A SECOND individual in the Rural City of Wangaratta has tested positive to COVID-19, according to an announcement made by Northeast Health Wangaratta on Easter Saturday.

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 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 Victoria’s chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton.

“There are positive signs our efforts are working - but if we relax now, our hard-won gains will evaporate and people will die,” said Mr Andrews.

Wangaratta’s two COVID-19 cases are among 1291 confirmed yesterday by the Victoria Department of Health and Human Services, with 40 people currently in hospital, including 15 people in intensive care, while 1118 had recovered.

More than 71,000 Victorians have been tested to date and 236 cases have been identified in regional Victoria, with 122 confirmed cases statewide which may have been acquired through community transmission.

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos also announced yesterday that the recruitment of 120 paramedics would be brought forward, and a service transporting regional patients from local hospitals to Melbourne would be extended to run 24 hours a day.

Testing has also been expanded in Victoria to cover anyone with clinical symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of whether they have travelled, their age or occupation.

Professor Sutton urged Victorians to remain vigilant and not erode the gains made in preventing the spread of the virus over Easter.
“Our message is clear: if you can stay home, you must stay home.”

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 $1652 for individuals and up to $9913 for businesses.

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.