Covid slows

By Brendan Rees

The number of reported cases of Covid-19 has begun to plateau across the south east, according to the state’s latest health data.

As of 13 May figures, cases remain at 56 in Casey, 15 in Dandenong and 16 in Cardinia council areas.

However, Casey City only has one active case – a new figure recently introduced by the Department of Health and Human Services which defines someone who has tested positive, is currently in isolation and being monitored by the Department and who has not yet recovered. 
Dandenong and Cardinia have zero active cases.

Across the state, there were seven new cases recorded in the 24 hours to 13 May, bringing the state’s tally to 1514, including 18 deaths and six currently in intensive-care.

Of the total, 1385 people have recovered.

Of the seven new cases detected, two were returned travellers in mandatory hotel quarantine, two were associated with outbreak investigation, and three were identified through testing by their doctor.

One previously reported case and two of the new cases have been linked to the McDonald’s Restaurant outbreak in Fawkner, taking the total number of cases in this outbreak to six.

Ninety-two employees have been tested as a precaution. McDonald’s closed the restaurant to undertake a deep clean. All close contacts of confirmed cases have been contacted by the department and will remain in quarantine for 14 days.

Three previously reported cases have now been linked to the outbreak at a Melbourne meat processing facility, taking the total number of cases in this outbreak to 88.