COVID-19 Australia: Epidemiology Report 29: Fortnightly reporting period ending 8 November 2020

Abstract

Nationally, there was a continuing downward trend in notifications of COVID-19. The daily average number of cases for this reporting period was nine, compared to an average of 14 cases per day in the previous fortnight. There were 123 cases of COVID-19 and two deaths this fortnight, bringing the cumulative case count to 27,743 and 904 deaths. New South Wales reported the highest proportion of cases this fortnight (56%; 69/123), the majority of which were overseas acquired (54). Locally-acquired cases accounted for 15% (18/123) of all cases reported this fortnight. Victoria has seen a continuing decline of cases: at the end of this reporting period, 10 days had passed since the last locally-acquired case was reported in this jurisdiction. Testing rates increased during the reporting period and remain high overall at 11.0 tests per week per 1,000 persons. There was variability in the testing rate by jurisdiction, with testing rates depending on the epidemic context. The overall positivity rate for the reporting period was 0.03%, with the Northern Territory reporting a positivity rate of 0.12% for this reporting period. In all other jurisdictions the positivity rate was ≤ 0.06%.