Victoria records no new coronavirus cases for fifth consecutive day

Victoria has recorded its fifth consecutive day of zero new COVID-19 cases, though health authorities believe there are still undetected cases in the community.

Social distancing signage is seen along St Kilda beach in Melbourne, Monday, 2 November, 2020.

Social distancing signage is seen along St Kilda beach in Melbourne, Monday, 2 November, 2020. Source: AAP

Victoria has recorded no new cases of coronavirus and no deaths for a fifth consecutive day.

The figures, confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, bring Melbourne's 14-day rolling average to 1.7 cases.

The city has recorded two mystery cases for the fortnight to 1 November.
Regional Victoria has not recorded a new case in more than a fortnight.

Health authorities, however, believe there are still undetected cases in the state.

Victoria's Commander of Testing Jeroen Weimar warns of a "long road ahead" before the state can return to "COVID-normal".

"We're not over this by any means," he told reporters in St Kilda on Tuesday.

"We've got a long way to go to make sure we identify any remaining areas of transmission."
Mr Weimar said there are "absolutely" more undetected cases of COVID-19 in the community.

"It's our job to be really vigilant," he said.

He encouraged anyone with a runny nose, sore throat or any other COVID-19 symptoms to get tested.

There are now 38 active cases in Victoria, the lowest number since the government began recording them on 29 March.
It came as police were out in force at an anti-lockdown protest outside parliament house in Melbourne.

There were 404 protesters arrested, with a female senior sergeant taken to hospital after suffering a suspected broken arm.

Another 395 fines will also be handed out for a range of offences including assaulting police and coronavirus rule breaches.

With Flemington Racecourse closed to punters for the 160th running of the Melbourne Cup, pubs and bars filled up quickly amid cap limits of 50 people outdoors and 20 indoors.

Thousands also flocked to beaches in St Kilda, Brighton and Williamstown, with many flouting orders to wear masks unless in the water.

The state's virus death toll remains at 819 and the national figure at 907.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

News and information is available in 63 languages at .

Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory:  .


Share
Published 4 November 2020 8:42am
Updated 4 November 2020 8:55am
Source: AAP, SBS



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world