Active coronavirus cases in Melbourne, Victorian council areas

Active cases increased in only a handful of Victorian areas as the number of people battling the virus plummeted by as much as 77 infections across Melbourne and the state. See the latest numbers where you live.

Active cases have increased in just five council areas — three of them in regional Victoria — as infections plummeted across the state

Yarra (74), Port Phillip (54), Greater Shepparton (18) and Mitchell (18) all recorded two new active cases, while Wellington (3) had a new infection, as nine deaths and 179 new cases were announced on Friday.

Dozens of council areas across the state — headed by Wyndham (467, -77) and Brimbank (401, -77) had a fall in infections.

SEE ALL ACTIVE CASES BY COUNCIL AREA BELOW

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was good to see cases in regional Victoria declining and the daily tally in the hundreds, but there was no room for complacency.

“There’s no way we can assume that this is over. It is an ultra-marathon, and we’re not halfway yet,” he said.

“We just have to keep pushing forward to make sure that we drive these numbers down even further.”

Mr Andrews said it was way too early to be talking about what easing of restrictions in Victoria would look like.

“That’s not designed to, in any way, dispirit people or take away sense of hope,” he said.

“We can be hopeful about these numbers. We can be positive about these numbers. But that can’t be accompanied by any sense of complacency.”

Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton said he would be “really gratified” if the daily cases dropped to single figures by the time stage four restrictions were reviewed, but he wasn’t convinced it would.

“I think it’s possible, but I think there are really significant challenges to get there,” he said.

He cited “complex outbreak settings” such as the aged care and disability sectors and health care workers, as the key challenges.

He said he wanted to see double-digit case numbers before contemplating an end to stage 4 restrictions.

“I‘d love us to be below 50.”

Mr Andrews announced Stage 4 restrictions on Sunday, August 2, which means no-one can travel any further than 5km of their home to do shopping or physical exercise, and also a curfew making people stay at home from 8pm and 5am.

State 4 restrictions will be in force across metropolitan Melbourne until at least September 13.

While for regional Victorian areas – including Geelong, the Surf Coast and Mitchell Shire – Stage 3 restrictions will be in place from 11:59pm on Wednesday, August 5.

“We must do more. We must go harder. It’s the only way we’ll get to the other side of this.”

Restrictions also include staying at home between curfew hours, only one person per household is allowed to go grocery shopping each day, exercise outside the home is only permitted for one hour per day and within 5km of home.

He said there would be exemptions for people to visit their intimate partners who live apart and also for work.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT VICTORIAN CASES

As of Friday the total number of coronavirus cases in Victoria stands at 17,852.

The overall total has increased by 169 due to 10 cases being reclassified largely due to duplication.

The state’s death toll is now 385, an increase of nine from Thursday. Seven are linked to known outbreaks in aged care facilities.

There are 1732 active cases related to aged care centres.

There have been 3808 cases indicating unknown transmission, an extra 24 from Thursday.

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said these mystery cases were “trending down as we would expect”.

“But again, I would like to see a day of zero new outbreaks and very little community transmission,” he said.

Figures released showed people aged between 20 and 29 are the biggest driver of community transmission.

Of the total number of cases, 8563 are men and 9260 women.

There are 626 people in hospital, including 40 patients in intensive care.

There are 4421 known active cases in Victoria — 443 fewer than Thursday. There have been 12,940 people recover.

Meanwhile the number of healthcare workers with active cases are 668

A total of 2,049,235 tests have been processed.

The department follows up and monitors all close contacts of confirmed cases and provides them with information and support. All close contacts must self-isolate for 14 days.

WHAT ABOUT TOTAL CASES?

Wyndham is Victoria’s hotspot when it come to total virus cases, with the western Melbourne area having 1930 confirmed positive tests, over 100 more than Brimbank (1798).

Hume (1486) is next, while Whittlesea (1109), Melton (1012), Moreland (924), Melbourne (848), Casey (834) and Moonee Valley (701) all have more than 600 total cases.

HOW DOES VICTORIA COMPARE WITH AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD?