One In Four Positive Victorian COVID-19 Cases Not At Home When Authorities Came Knocking

One in four positive cases of COVID-19 in Victoria were not at home when health authorities check in on them, prompting fears of the outbreak spreading.

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Premier Daniel Andrews said in the last 24 hours there had been 130 unsuccessful visits by authorities to confirmed cases at their places of residence.

Members of the Australian Defence Force and health personnel conducted 500 visits to positive cases to check on their welfare and ensure self-isolation is taking place.

"It is simply unacceptable for you to have the virus and not be at home," Mr Andrews said.
"This is not about just getting fresh air, this is people out in the community."

More than 100 positive cases of COVID-19 who were not self-isolating at home will now be followed up by Victoria Police.

Mr Andrews said penalties - if pursued in court - could easily equal tens of thousands of dollars.

"I would say this: On the spot fines are $1,652. That is not an insignificant matter," said Mr Andrews.

"If those matters go to court it jumps to around $10,000. That is a very significant impost for anybody.

"We think that those penalties are appropriate at this stage."

Mr Andrews stressed that people who have tested positive – and those waiting on test results – must stay at home.

Overnight Victoria recorded 627 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, slightly down on the record-breaking 723 cases yesterday.

There have also been eight further deaths due to coronavirus, including two men in their 50s.

The other deaths are two men in their 70s, three men in their 80s and one woman in her 70s.

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