Victoria’s coronavirus death toll rises to three as COVID-19 hot spots revealed
Three Victorians have died from coronavirus and several others are fighting for their lives as the country’s death toll rises to 13. It comes as experts flag concerns returned international travellers are trying to conceal the illness.
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Three Victorians have died and another three are fighting for life from coronavirus amid concerns returned international travellers are trying to conceal their illness.
It has also emerged one of the state’s most senior health officials managing Victoria’s response to the pandemic had to be isolated in her home after being exposed to COVID-19.
Fourteen people are now being treated in the Victorian hospitals for coronavirus, including three in intensive care units.
A further case of community transmission has also been detected, meaning Victoria now has nine coronavirus patients with no known relation to overseas travel or previous cases.
The national coronavirus toll had last night risen to 13, with 2801 cases confirmed.
Around the globe, more than 21,300 people have died and 472,000 infected in the pandemic.
As Victoria suffered its fatalities on Thursday Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said all three were men in their 70s who had pre-existing health conditions.
“Victoria had been lucky not to have had deaths up to this point in time,” Prof Sutton said.
The state has recorded 520 cases, with 149 people fully recovering from their illness.
CORONAVIRUS HOT SPOTS REVEALED
Melbourne’s ritziest suburbs are the hardest hit in the coronavirus outbreak.
Stonnington in Melbourne’s inner east – which includes the suburbs of Toorak, Armadale, Kooyong, Malvern, Malvern East and South Yarra – has emerged as Victoria’s coronavirus hot spot with 57 confirmed cases.
Mornington Peninsula has the second most cases with 36 followed by the City of Melbourne with 32.
Other council areas with the most cases include Boroondara, Port Phillip, Glen Eira, Greater Geelong and Moreland, each with more than 20 cases.
Fifty-five local government areas now have confirmed virus cases.
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RUBY PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP CASES
Four Victorians travelling on-board the Ruby Princess cruise ship have tested positive to coronavirus.
It comes after thousands of passengers were allowed to disembark earlier this month despite people coming down with the virus while on the ship.
Currently more than 3500 Australians remain on cruise boats around the world with many facing being dropped at European ports or facing weeks on boats with countries denying entry
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Two ships are staying put in Port Phillip Bay to wait out the crisis after offloading their passengers.
The Golden Princess and the Viking Orion are moored near Station Pier but only have skeleton crews on-board and are waiting to be given the all clear to leave.
INFECTED PORTSEA COUPLE HIT OUT OVER HATE CAMPAIGN
An incredible spat has erupted among Melbourne’s elite over allegations an infected couple of jetsetters flouted COVID-19 restrictions.
The pair — who contracted the virus during a trip to luxury ski resort town Aspen, in Colorado — have accused their critics of mounting a “hate campaign”.
It is understood the finance expert and his entrepreneur partner were in a group of about 20 high-flyers from Melbourne who contracted the coronavirus while on the trip.
Portsea residents are now fuming about the couple, saying they have blatantly flouted self-isolation restrictions since returning, socialising at soirees, playing golf and putting locals at risk, all claims the couple denies.
“It’s astonishing and people down here are just appalled,” one Portsea local, who asked not to be named, said.
PATHOLOGY, PRIVATE HOSPITAL STAFF HIT BY SURGERY BAN
Pathology services across the state have begun standing down workers, with private hospitals set to follow suit after the government’s ban on elective surgery comes into force next week.
Australian Clinical Labs yesterday told staff they will shutter 247 of their 395 collection centres from Monday, with staff told they must choose to take annual, long service or unpaid leave.
The company’s main competitor, Dorevitch Pathology, is also understood to have asked its staff to take leave and to wind down their hours.
The move coincides with expected lay-offs in private hospitals in the wake of the decision to ban all non-urgent elective surgery from next Wednesday night.
The imminent end of elective surgery has thrown the private hospital system into financial crisis as most its income comes from elective surgery.
While it is understood that no private hospitals have started laying off staff yet, the Herald Sun has been told meetings have been taking place across the sector about what to do with staff for whom there is no work.
Surgeons were furious over a decision to continue allowing some non-urgent elective surgeries just hours after they had issued orders for operating theatres to wind up.
The national cabinet last night decided to allow private hospitals to continue undertaking semi-urgent category 2 and 3 elective surgeries until 1 April 2020.
The move came after Prime Minister Scott Morrison had earlier yesterday announced all non-urgent surgeries would stop after midnight last night.
Having already called for operations to be halted due to infection risks and the need to preserve protective equipment and other resources for COVID-19 cases, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons President Tony Sparnon said he was “appalled” by the partial backflip.
“We are disappointed to hear that hospitals are being asked to continue non-critical surgery at a time when we must be putting the safety of patients and staff first, he said.
“The federal government has made a reversal of their previously sensible decision to cancel all elective surgery except for urgent cases.
“We are seeing decision making that can only be described as putting commercial interests before patient safety. Many of our surgeons who work in private hospitals are appalled and refusing to operate on non-critical cases. We want to see leadership from the federal government that puts people’s safety first,”
RACV RESORTS, CLUBS CLOSE DOORS
The RACV will close its eight resorts and two club locations across Australia from midnight Friday.
It issued the following statement: RACV’s first and foremost priority remains on making sure that our staff, the community and all those who interact with us are kept as safe as possible. Based on how the situation is unfolding and the new government guidelines, we consider that we are no longer able to serve our members and guests at RACV Resorts and Clubs. This temporary closure will impact all accommodation, golf courses and carparking at the RACV City Club in Melbourne, RACV Healesville Country Club, and RACV Resort properties in Queensland, Tasmania and across Victoria.
People impacts RACV managing director and chief executive officer Neil Taylor said that this was something he would never have imagined.
“Whilst this will be of little comfort today to the many staff affected, we intend to come back to strength quickly when this crisis is over,” he said.
“We are looking at a range of measures to help employees who are impacted by this announcement, including the potential to provide alternative work during this time.
“We are also providing counselling support to all RACV employees and their families.
“RACV is a substantial employer both in Victoria and Australia and all staff across all of our operations understand that we must continue to focus our energy on ensuring RACV is steered well through this period.
“RACV’s other major operations including Home and Motor Insurance, Emergency Home Assist, Emergency Roadside Assist, RACV Finance are unaffected and continue to operate. These businesses will help RACV’s 2.2 million Members protect their assets during these challenging times.”
PRIVATE SCHOOLS SEND OUT INVOICES
Private schools are being urged to halt fees as parents lose jobs amid COVID-19, with some elite campuses deferring invoices and others demanding payments.
As the pandemic hits the employment of many Victorians, some parents are already planning to pull their children from private schools and enrol them in the public system.
But the independent schools’ body said campuses could become “unsustainable” under sudden or severe declines in enrolment.
Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) chief executive Michelle Green said it was already clear that many schools have extremely limited capacity to withstand sudden shocks to their finances if economic factors mean parents can’t afford to pay fees and withdraw their children, since fees usually cover the bulk of school operating costs.
CARAVAN PARKS ASK FOR EXEMPTION
Australia’s biggest caravan park operator has appealed to Premier Daniel Andrews for exemptions to the latest restrictions so self-contained cabins can be used for people seeking quarantine accommodation.
Grant Wilckens, chief executive of Discovery Parks which also runs Top Parks, said cabins provided better self-isolation accommodation than hotels and motels which continued to operate.
“There are 370 caravan parks in Victoria, predominantly in regional centres, providing accommodation to those displaced due to border closures, homes to low-income earners, accommodation to essential workers, and a safe place for self-contained motorhomes to reside,’’ he said.
The latest state government ruling declared that only permanent residents could remain.
But the latest move, Mr Wilckens said, even put residents’ homes at risk because caravan parks may go broke.
Mr Wilckens said the sector was worth $2.53 billion to the Victorian economy and employed 4000 people.
“Many caravan parks make the majority of their revenue from cabin accommodation. Cabins that have self-contained ensuite bathrooms, kitchens, independent air-conditioning systems and driveway parking.
“This form of accommodation is more suited to current COVID-19 precautions than hotels and serviced apartments.’’
The industry agreed with the closure of campgrounds and shared bathrooms and toilets within parks, and that most parks had put similar measures in place already.
Comment was being sought from the government.
BEWARD OF SUPER SCAMS
Predators are cooking up cruel scams targeting the superannuation nest-eggs of desperate Victorians.
The super industry has warned cons are already operating to fleece those wanting financial relief via the release of funds under special hardship provisions.
There has been enormous public response to the economic support package under which those eligible can withdraw from mid-April $10,000 of their super this financial year and the same amount the next.
Industry Super Australia said it was aware would-be frauds had zeroed in on super fund members.
The body’s chief executive officer Bernie Dean said they were trying to extract fees for a process which is free
“Unfortunately we are already seeing some shonky financial outfits offering to go and get people’s super for a fee or a commission,” Mr Dean said.
“We’ve told the government there needs to be rigorous checks to ensure only those eligible claim and member’s balances don’t get siphoned by fraudulent claims.”
“Those who access the scheme but are ineligible should also know that they may face consequences.”
The Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees also said it had been alerted to cases of shysters offering - for a fee - to help people free up their money.
“Unfortunately, as we’ve seen before with any early release super measure, there are unscrupulous operators who take advantage of people in financial hardship either through outright fraud in an attempt to steal their super or by offering unnecessary services for which a fee is charged,” AIST chief executive officer Ms Scheerlinck said.
CORONAVIRUS DEATHS ‘NOT UNEXPECTED’
A third man has died from coronavirus in Victoria, bringing the state’s death toll to three.
Earlier today, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton confirmed two men aged in their 70s died overnight.
Dr Brett Sutton could not say if the men had previous conditions which would have made them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
“They are our first deaths, but in a sense they are not unexpected.
“It is certainly a risk just to be over 70 years of age but many people in that age bracket also have chronic conditions which is an additional risk factor,” Dr Sutton told ABC radio.
“There was another man in his 30s who was in ICU, so that is a reminder that its not just the elderly who have a very severe illness. You can be in your 20s, 30s, 40s and require ICU and potentially die.”
Dr Sutton said a third of Victorians diagnosed with coronavirus have now recovered, however that proportion would shrink with transmissions now gaining speed through the community.
With coronavirus testing broadening to include people with all symptoms, rather than just returned travellers, Prof Sutton warned the state’s infection rates would continue to rise.
“I hope we find more cases that are out there, but some numbers will decrease as travel had decreased,” he said.
“But we have to keep an eye on it and I do expect numbers to increase with local transmission.”
Dr Sutton also warned people should not be complacent.
It comes as Victoria prepares to impose stage-three restrictions to shut down much of the retail sector as it pushes for a “hard and fast” response to the novel coronavirus.
The state government is willing to go it alone on tougher measures, with Premier Daniel Andrews warning Victoria could not “wait for everyone else to catch up”.
“If we did that, then in Victoria and New South Wales, this thing would be so far away from us, that we will look like Italy,” he said.
Beauty parlours, community centres, swimming pools and play centres were among the businesses and services forced to close from Thursday.
In a sign retail stores would be next on the list, potentially within days, Mr Andrews said Victorians should only leave their homes when it was absolutely necessary.
“Traders won’t like me saying this, but I have to say it — shop for what you need when you need it,” he said. “Do not be going window shopping. No trip to buy a pair of shoes is worth someone’s life.”
Beauty stores saw customers stocking up on DIY hair colouring and styling products, as hairdressers were told to limit appointments to 30 minutes, and waxing businesses had a rush of last-minute appointments before they were forced to shut.
Health experts have told the National Cabinet the next step — “a carefully considered closure of all activity except essential industries and services” — should be “held in reserve”.
The cabinet was on Wednesday night due to consider thresholds for strengthening the nationwide lockdown, along with measures to assist renters in financial stress, distance learning arrangements for schools, and ways to share health resources when the virus peaks.
Mr Morrison on Wednesday announced a national coronavirus co-ordination commission — run by a board of business executives — to unite the public and private sectors to “solve problems” the virus causes economically and socially.
17,800 JOBS LOST IN ONE MORNING
The parent company of Just Jeans, Peter Alexander and Smiggle has informed all 6000 staff members they will be stood down until April 22 as the coronavirus crisis forces the closure of its brick and mortar stores.
The Just Group, whose portfolio includes Portmans, Just Jeans, Dotti, Smiggle, Peter Alexander, Jay Jays and Jacqui E, employs more than 6000 people in 1000 retail stores.
All staff will be stood down until April 22.
Just Jeans opened its first store in Chapel Street, Prahran, in December 1970.
The business has grown dramatically since that time, through the acquisition and growth of brands across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and in 2014 the United Kingdom.
LEARN MUSIC FROM HOME
Always wanted to learn a musical instrument and suddenly got time on your hands?
Adam Pallozzi was director of Junior Rockers, a company whose staff taught music in primary schools across Melbourne.
With the coronavirus wiping out their business overnight, Pallozzi has turned the company online.
Now called The Online Music Lessons Company, while they’ll now be teaching many of their students virtually, it’s not only for kids anymore. For around $32 you can get a 30 minute lesson with a professional teacher.
“There’s lots of great resources on You Tube, but with us you’re face to face with an actual teacher who can see what you’re playing and give you direct feedback,” Pallozzi said.
“Kids in particular need that one-on-one attention to stay focussed, a lot of parents say if their kids were trying to learn guitar on You Tube they’d get distracted and be off playing Minecraft.”
Pallozzi hopes the new business will help retain some of his staff of 35 who are now in limbo.
“It’s better than having to lay everyone off and it might give people stuck at home something creative to do.”
Details: onlinemusiclessons.co
COSTCO’S SENIORS SHOPPING HOUR MET WITH LONG QUEUES
Vicki Hunt was at the Ringwood Costco for the designated seniors shopping hour, where queues spanned several car park levels by 8.45am.
But once doors opened at 9am, the massive lines moved quickly. Identification was checked to ensure only pensioners were allowed in.
“It was all very organised. They handed you one packet each of toilet rolls. There was no rushing,” Mrs Hunt said.
“There was no pushing or shoving. Everyone was very courteous.”
Toilet paper was handed out to each person immediately upon entering the store.
Tissues, hand sanitiser and liquid soap were absent from shelves but large sacks of rice and flour were plentiful. Nappies and some other items such as paper towel were restricted.
GOVT MAY CALL STATE OF DISASTER: TOP COP
The state’s top cop has warned the Australian Defence Force could be called in if Victorians continue to defy coronavirus restrictions, after several returned travellers were busted flouting self-isolation rules.
Since Saturday police have conducted 88 spot checks, including via FaceTime. Twelve people were not at their listed addresses and another gave a false address to Australian Border Force authorities.
Such breaches risk up to $20,000 in fines but so far none have been issued in Victoria.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton warned police could ramp up enforcement action if people did not comply with the rules.
However, it seemed more people were getting the message and staying home.
“There is an obligation for us to all do the right thing by each other, not act like an idiot and act irresponsibly,” he said.
This week Victoria Police launched Operation Sentinel, a dedicated enforcement squad of 500 police.
On Thursday officers began checking on people with COVID-19 rather than just returned travellers.
Mr Ashton said it was likely the force’s coronavirus squad would be expanded and could include redeployed protective service officers, given the reduced activity on the transit system.
“We could talk to the Australian Defence Force,” he said. “That would be end game but we will if we need to. We will just keep ramping up when we need to.”
Drones and the police air wing will be used to monitor beaches for big gatherings this weekend.
Two Victoria Police officers, from Ringwood and the southeast region, have contracted COVID-19.
Almost 400 police are off duty in self-isolation or on carer’s leave.
Mr Ashton said it has been a “real challenge” getting enough protective equipment such as masks and gloves for frontline police.
Asked if a state of disaster would be called, Mr Ashton said the decision sat with the state government and would include “significant powers” for police to restrict the movement of people.
“You don’t pull that lever until you really have to,” he said.
Mr Ashton is due to retire from the top job in June but yesterday said he would consider staying on if asked by the state government.
A government spokeswoman said it would “continue to assess what is needed to ensure Victoria Police is in the best position to meet community needs”.
COPS ON THE BEAT … FROM HOME
Two Victoria Police staff have tested positive to coronavirus and more than 200 — most of them sworn personnel — have been forced into self-isolation amid the coronavirus crisis.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said most are working from home because of concerns over potential contact.
They are a mix of staff who have come into contact with potential infection through their work or via personal contact, such as with family or friends who have returned from overseas. Some had been identified as at risk after returning from leave.
An officer from Ringwood was sent into isolation last week after turning up at work with the virus shortly after returning from an Asian holiday.
The highest-ranked of those in isolation is Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton, who recently returned from a work trip to Virginia in the US.
Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said: “This is why we have been calling for several days for priority COVID-19 testing for police and PSOs (protective services officers). If one of our members contracts it, it can be passed on to an entire station and Victoria cannot afford to lose police and PSO numbers in this current environment.”
MEDICOS PREPARING FOR DISEASE SPIKE
A surgery shutdown will see only the most urgent patients operated on from Thursday as Australia’s hospitals enter full coronavirus mode.
Among Victoria’s 466 confirmed COVID-19 cases, a dozen people are now in hospital with serious symptoms.
The need for hospitals to increase focus on COVID-19 cases was underlined with revelations one of the two Victorians fighting for life in intensive care is a person in their 30s, while the other is in their 60s.
From Thursday, the Department of Health will also switch to new technology to better monitor those already infected and their close contacts and ensure they do not break isolation rules.
As of midnight on Wednesday night, Victoria’s public hospitals ceased all category-three elective surgeries, while category-two operations are now allowed to go ahead only if there is a serious health risk to the patient in not proceeding.
Emergency and category-one elective surgeries — including urgent heart, brain and cancer operations — will continue to be performed.
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos promised a post-COVID-19 surgery blitz, but warned the health system and its resources needed to be ready for the start of peak infections in May-June.
“While our hospital admissions are still relatively low … these numbers are starting to rise daily and we need to make sure that all our hospitals are prepared,” Ms Mikakos said.
“We don’t put these measures in lightly. We understand that many Victorians will be inconvenienced by the delay in their elective surgery.”’
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and other medical colleges had earlier pushed for a surgery shutdown over fears continuing non-emergency surgery was putting patients and staff at risk of infection and shifting resources from the coronavirus fight.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the national cabinet had endorsed the shutdown as vital to preserve resources including scarce stocks of personal protective equipment.
With more than 1700 people in self isolation throughout Victoria after being in close contact with confirmed coronavirus cases, the Department of Health on Thursday will introduce a system to keep tabs on their health and location.
The Whisper system will send messages to contacts flagged for monitoring asking them to check in daily to confirm they are in quarantine, report symptoms, and whether they have been tested for COVID-19 or have results.
The system will flag any contacts or returned travellers suspected of not isolating, allowing for potential follow-up action, including fines.
Department workers are also contacting any patients and staff members who may have been exposed to for Werribee Mercy Hospital medical workers who tested positive for coronavirus.
WIMBLEDON TO HOLD ‘EMERGENCY MEETING’
Wimbledon officials are the latest sporting body to announce they are considering cancelling their 2020 championships due to the coronavirus.
The All England Club says it will decide at an emergency meeting next week whether or not to postpone this year’s event – scheduled to start to on June 29 – or abandon the event altogether.
FUEL FURY AS DIESEL SITS ON A HIGH
The high price of diesel across Melbourne has prompted calls from transport groups to drive down costs to keep vital goods moving during the coronavirus crisis.
Diesel sold for more than $1.48 a litre at some petrol stations in the city on Wednesday, despite the average wholesale price sliding down to $1.05.
RACV spokesman Brodie Bott said petrol stations were listed as an essential service amid the COVID-19 shutdown.
“Now is not the time for retailers to be inflating fuel prices. Some retailers are selling 30c per litre more than the wholesale price of diesel,’’ he said.
Victoria Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson questioned why diesel was consistently so expensive.
“The fuel companies are entitled to make a profit but fuel is an essential commodity,” he said. “The transport industry is an essential service because we have to make sure goods are still delivered around the country.”
Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association chief executive Mark McKenzie said the diesel pump price reflected what stations had paid when they filled their tanks before the price fall of the past week.
SPAIN OVERTAKES CHINA IN VIRUS DEATHS
Spain’s death toll has risen past 3400, eclipsing China’s, after a one-day spike of 700 fatalities. It is now second only to Italy, with over 7500 deaths.
“If we are not already at the peak, we are very close,” said Fernando Simon, head of Spain’s health emergency co-ordination centre. “I cannot say that we have reached it.”
Even once the numbers crest, it would be “counter-productive” to think about relaxing restrictions anytime soon, he added.
Read the latest world coronavirus news.
PRINCE CHARLES ‘MET QUEEN’ DAY BEFORE INFECTION
Prince Charles contracted coronavirus after he was the star guest at a fundraiser for an Australian bushfire relief dinner in London, as the Queen remains in isolation at Windsor Castle.
It emerged the heir to the throne met the Queen just a day before he became infectious with the deadly virus.
The 71-year-old tested positive for the bug on Monday night after he began to display mild symptoms – but remains in “good health”.
REAL ESTATE SCRABBLES TO OVERCOME BUMP
Australia’s auction capital has been flipped on its head after auctions and open-for-inspections were axed in an effort to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
But industry figures have urged vendors not to pull properties off the market, vowing Melbourne’s market will continue to operate behind closed doors and online.
More than 2700 auctions scheduled across Melbourne for the next three weeks won’t go ahead as normal, leaving agencies to find alternative ways to make sales.
The Real Estate Institute of Victoria confirmed private property inspections of properties were still possible.
But the peak industry body’s president, Leah Calnan, said Melbourne was facing an unusually quiet winter market after six months of growth.
“Agents have already started working with technology and online auction platforms,” Ms Calnan said.
While the volume of housing stock would dip, she said there was no need to pull a listed property off the market.
“Some vendors will still need to sell, many need to purchase and there will be others looking to rent,” she said.
Auction streaming and online bidding service Gavl reported a 200 per cent increase in traffic over the past fortnight.
Buyer’s advocate Cate Bakos said it could become “tricky” for buyers to navigate the different types of sale methods still available.
She said many vendors would opt for a private sale but use technology to prepare contracts and settle properties.
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— With additional reporting by Brianna Travers, John Masanauskas, Alex White, Tom Minear, Tamsin Rose, Matt Johnson, Mark Buttler, Jayitri Smiles and Samantha Landy