AT A GLANCE

NUMBERS

Geelong: Four new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Greater Geelong, bringing the region’s total yesterday to 50 cases.

Of Victoria’s 79 local government areas, Greater Geelong had the fourth highest number of cases.

The number of diagnoses for the Surf Coast remained at nine. Meanwhile, coronavirus tests carried out on a handful of staff at Fagg’s Mitre 10 hardware store after an administrative manager came down with the virus have all returned negative. A company spokesman said all four people who had been in close contact with the manager had now been given the all-clear. He said the South Geelong store had complied with all Health Department protocols following the positive test on the manager, who worked in the administration area and not on the retail floor.

Confirmed cases in

Australia: 5133. NSW is the worst hit, with 2298. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria yesterday was 1036 — an increase of 68 from Wednesday.

Australian deaths: 24 (10 in NSW, six in Vic, three in Qld, two in WA, two in Tas, one in ACT). Five of the dead were residents of a Sydney aged-care home, Dorothy Henderson Lodge, nine had been on a cruise ship, including five from the Ruby Princess, which docked in Sydney on March 19.

The average daily increase in cases has been at 9 per cent for the past three days, down from 25-30 per cent a week ago.

Australia is the world leader in testing, at

1000 for every 100,000 people or about 1 per cent of the population, with a 1.9 per cent positive rate.

Global latest: At least 936,237 cases and at least 47,249 deaths. Recovered: At least 194,583

QUOTE:

“We’re racing against the clock right now. It’s devastating for Halls Creek … they’re beside themselves. It will shoot through the community.” — Yura Yungi Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Brenda Garstone on news a case had been detected in the remote, largely indigenous West Australian town.