COVID-19 Australia: Epidemiology Report 22: Fortnightly reporting period ending 2 August 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2020.44.69Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2, novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, acute respiratory disease, epidemiology, AustraliaAbstract
Over the past fortnightly reporting period (20 July to 2 August):
• The number of new cases reported nationally increased from 3,462 in the previous fortnight to 6,121.
• The large increase in numbers is due to multiple epidemiologically-linked outbreaks across a range of settings and locations in Victoria (97%; 5,914 cases) with very few (207) cases reported by other jurisdictions in this reporting period.
• Of the 5,914 cases reported in Victoria, all were locally acquired. Of the remaining 207 cases nationally reported, only 23% were reported as locally acquired.
• ACT is the only jurisdiction reporting 0 cases, with its last case reported on 9 July.
• A total of 71 deaths were reported, all from Victoria.
• On average, 437 cases were reported each day over the reporting period, an increase from 247 cases per day over the previous fortnight.
• Testing rates remain high across all jurisdictions, with an overall positivity rate for the reporting period of 0.7%. Victoria reported a positivity rate of 1.7% for this reporting period. In all other jurisdictions the positivity rate was 0.07% or lower.
• Overall, syndromic surveillance of respiratory illness trends continues to show very low levels compared to previous years.
• 12% of cases have required hospitalisation or intensive care.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; novel coronavirus; 2019-nCoV; coronavirus disease 2019; COVID-19; acute respiratory disease; epidemiology; Australia
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