Coronavirus: New interactive map reveals Melbourne's worst hit postcodes
Victoria has released a new interactive map allowing residents to track how many active cases there are in their neighbourhood.
The map is part of a new dashboard that went live on the Department of Health and Human Services website on Monday.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the online data dashboard will allow people to monitor outbreaks and active cases in their local communities – a vital tool as Melbourne residents look towards exiting Stage 4 restrictions.
"We want to continue to share more data, and a new dashboard on the DHHS website makes more information available to Victorians for the first time,” she said.
"This will include not only active case numbers and number of deaths, it will have details around outbreaks, it'll have details around aged care setting outbreaks, hospitalisations, but also it will list high-risk locations for the first time.
"It's important we arm the community with this information.”
The map allows users to see how many active cases are in a specific postcode, as well as how many cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours.
The previous interactive map provided by the Department of Health and Humans Services was limited to local government areas.
The new interactive map is colour coded by active cases per 100,000 residents.
Melbourne suburbs with highest rate of active cases
The maps show the majority of active cases are centred around Melbourne’s west and north.
Excluding suburbs with five or less cases, postcode 3052, which is home to inner city suburb of Parkville, is the worst hit in terms of per capita.
The postcode has an active rate of 527 per 100,000 residents.
While Ardeer (3022) is home to just 3,102 residents, its active rate is 484. The postcode is home to the Estia aged care facility which has been ravaged by the virus.
Postcode 3025, which is the suburb of Altona North, has an active rate of 354 and has had outbreaks in aged care and food processing facilities.
In the city’s southeast, 3190, Highett’s postcode, has an active rate of 344.
In terms of postcodes with the most cases, 3029 in Melbourne’s west, which is home to Tarneit and Truganina, has 204 active cases.
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Victoria reports 148 new coronavirus cases, eight more deaths
The website also includes a list of high risk locations updated daily which alert anyone who has attended those venues to watch for symptoms.
Ms Mikakos said there would be further additions to the website in due course which will allow users to track specific locations.
"People will be able to search and see if a known case has been to the local shopping centre, a local cafe, a workplace or another location,” she said.
"This is just the start.”
On Tuesday, Victoria recorded a further 148 coronavirus cases and eight deaths.
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