COVID-19, Australia: Epidemiology Report 24 (Fortnightly reporting period ending 30 August 2020).

ABSTRACT

Cumulatively to 30 August there have been 25,686 case notifications and 577 deaths. The number of new cases reported nationally this fortnight was 1,751, a 61% decrease from the previous fortnight (4,501). On average this represented 125 cases diagnosed each day over the reporting period, a decrease from 322 cases per day over the previous reporting period. 94% (1,640) of all cases were reported in Victoria, with a smaller number of cases reported from New South Wales (86), Queensland (19), Western Australia (5) and South Australia (1). In Victoria, the majority of cases (1,528; 93%) were locally acquired, with a further 112 (7%) under investigation at the time of analysis, but likely also to be locally acquired. Of the remaining 111 cases reported, 22 (20%) were overseas acquired; 82 (74%) were locally acquired, predominantly in NSW, and 7 (6%) were reported as under investigation. The continued decrease in new cases observed this fortnight in Victoria is likely associated with the enhanced public health measures that are currently in place in Victoria. Locally acquired cases which were predominantly associated with several interconnected clusters continued to be reported in NSW. In Qld a cluster of cases associated with a youth detention centre was identified. A total of 26 deaths were reported from cases diagnosed in this reporting period, all from Victoria and aged 75 years or older. Testing rates remain high across all jurisdictions, with an overall positivity rate for the reporting period of 0.27%. Victoria reported a positivity rate of 0.90% for this reporting period; in all other jurisdictions the positivity rate was 0.03% or lower.