COVID-19, Australia: Epidemiology Report 21: Fortnightly reporting period ending 19 July 2020

Abstract

Confirmed cases in Australia: 12,636 notifications and 147 deaths as at 19 July 2020; during the latest reporting fortnight (6 to 19 July 2020) there have been 3,791 notifications and 37 deaths. The number of new cases reported nationally increased from 897 in the previous fortnight (22 June to 5 July) to 3,791 (6 to 19 July). The large increase in cases is due to multiple epidemiologically-linked outbreaks across a range of settings and locations in Victoria (94%; 3,575 cases), with very few cases reported by other jurisdictions (216) in this reporting period. Of the 3,575 cases reported in Victoria, all except one were reported as locally acquired. The majority of these cases were linked to several outbreaks. Of the 216 cases reported from other jurisdictions, approximately 55% (119 cases) were locally acquired. A total of 37 deaths were reported, all from Victoria. On average, 271 cases were reported each day over the reporting period, an increase from 54 cases per day over the previous reporting period. Testing rates have increased across all jurisdictions, predominantly in Victoria, with the nationwide cumulative positivity rate remaining very low at less than 0.5%. As at 19 July, a small proportion of cases have experienced severe disease, requiring hospitalisation or intensive care, with some fatalities. The cumulative crude case fatality rate amongst Australian cases is 1.2%. People who are older and have one or more comorbidity are more likely to experience severe disease.