Coronavirus: Data reveals COVID-19 cases in Yarra Ranges, Knox and Maroondah

DAILY UPDATE: Social distancing appears to be working in the outer east, with no new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours. Ratepayers can also breathe a sigh of relief with councils coming to the party on extensions and suspensions of charges.

There have been 12 cases of coronavirus recorded in Yarra Ranges.

UPDATE: There were no new cases of coronavirus in the outer east in the last 24 hours.

The latest Victorian Department of Health and Human Services data reveals Knox still has 12 cases, Yarra Ranges 21 cases and Maroondah 10 cases.

Ratepayers in the Yarra Ranges can breathe a sigh of relief after the council announced it is extending payment dates and suspending penalties on overdue charges.

The temporary changes also include the loosing up of who can access the Hardship Policy and rental relief for businesses and organisations renting a council-owned building.

This comes as rates of coronavirus in the region ease and with only one person testing positive in Yarra Ranges this week.

More than 40 cases of coronavirus have been recorded across the outer east, with 21 of those in the Yarra Ranges.

The latest Victorian Department of Health and Human Services data reveals no rise people in people testing positive for the virus from yesterday, with Knox at 12 and Maroondah recording nine people with the highly contagious virus.

The number of cases across the state rose to 1228 overnight – an increase of 16 from yesterday.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Richard Higgins said the due date for rates payment has been extended until June 2020, with penalty interest suspended.

Cr Higgins said anyone who applies for help through the council’s Hardship Policy will not be charged penalty interest or have legal action taken on overdue rates for the period of deferral.

Community groups renting Council buildings won’t be charged rent if shut down during the pandemic.

While businesses renting council-owned buildings can have rent payments deferred up to six months, with options to review and waive.

“We know there are many people in the community who are now doing it tough, because of business changes or closures, employment changing and restrictions impacting the way we live our lives,” Cr Higgins said.

“This is an unprecedented situation, where many of us are facing significant changes and challenges – including unexpected financial strain and stress.”

Butchers, bakers and grocers in the Yarra Ranges are among the businesses the council is lobbying State Government to class as essential as Victoria faces possible Stage 4 restrictions.

There will also be introducing relief measures the council is introducing to help groups, individuals and businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Yarra Ranges Council has followed Knox Council after its mayor Nicole Seymour last week announced several packages responding to the short, medium and long term effects of the situation including the cancellation of interest on any late rates payments.

Mayor Richard Higgins said the council understood the significant impacts the pandemic was having on families, businesses and individuals who have lost their jobs.

“We have been contacted by a number of people concerned about their ability to pay rates,” Cr Higgins said.

“In response to this, we are developing some very specific relief measures.”

Cr Higgins said he would announcing the first stage of a number of measures that would be developed to help relieve some of the pain many are experiencing.

He said the council would waive fees and defer rent for community and sporting groups that use public-owned centres.

“I have written to the Premier (Daniel Andrews) to ask that businesses including local butchers, bakers, greengrocers, other small food providers and plant nurseries be defined as essential services to ensure they can remain open should further lockdown measures be introduced,” Cr Higgins said.

Councillors also passed an emergency motion at the last meeting to delegate the chief executive Tammi Rose to make decisions in the case that councillors were no longer able to meet in person.

“Currently, the Local Government Act requires councillors to be physically present at council meetings,” Cr Higgins said.

He said the council was part of a movement to allow councillors to meet virtually and not in person.

“For the next little while we will be changing the frequency of our public council meetings to monthly, and will continue lifestreaming those meetings to ensure those of you who are interested can tune in and hear the discussions,” Cr Higgins said.

Box Hill Hospital, Dandenong Hospital, Monash Medical Centre and Casey Hospital are the closest testing centres for those living in the outer east.

Neither the DHHS or Eastern Health could confirm whether either Maroondah Hospital or the Angliss in Upper Ferntree Gully would become coronavirus testing centres.

Meanwhile, Eildon state Liberal MP Cindy McLeish is encouraging the State Government to buy the old Warburton Hospital in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.

“I have been contacted by many people, more so recently, wanting to see the hospital reopen, particularly because the nearest hospital services are 50kms away,” Ms McLeish said.

The hospital would be ideal for aged care or rehabilitation services for vulnerable patients or distance them from COVID-19.”

Eastern Health chief medical officer Alison Dwyer said coronavirus was “like nothing” health services have ever dealt with before.

“Eastern Health prides itself on providing great care, everywhere, every time,” Ms Dwyer said.

“Like all services, we find ourselves in uncharted waters and are constantly monitoring the needs of our community and making decisions in line with Federal and State Government recommendations.”

She said expert clinicians were guiding the healthcare provider’s decisions, in-line with DHHS advice.

“Our dedicated and compassionate medical, nursing and allied health staff are well trained, and continue to provide the care that is required for each and every patient at Eastern Health,” Ms Dwyer said.

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A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said Victoria had established screening and assessment clinics across Melbourne and regional Victoria to test as many people as possible.

“And our world-class hospitals stand ready to establish more as required,” he said.

“We’re working closely with the Commonwealth Government to ensure GPs are also supported in providing advice and screening to potential COVID-19 patients.”