Victoria’s latest COVID-19 outbreak grows to 15 people as the state ‘cannot rule out’ a snap lockdown
Merlino #Merlino
Melbourne’s latest COVID-19 cluster has grown to 15, with six new cases of community transmission identified in Victoria over the past day.
But the state government has so far avoided a snap lockdown to slow the virus’ spread through the community, pending the outcome of the next 24 hours.
Speaking in Melbourne on Wednesday morning, Acting Premier James Merlino said all of the new cases are connected, being family or workplace contacts of cases identified earlier this week.
Yet concerns remain over the growing list of exposure sites, which now includes a number of nightlife venues throughout Melbourne’s inner south.
“It’s good that everyone is linked at this stage, but we are concerned about the number and the kind of exposure sites,” Merlino said.
Merlino announced no further restrictions on top of the measures announced on Tuesday, but that may change depending on the “particularly critical” events of the next 24 hours.
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“I cannot rule out taking some further action but we will update people as soon as we know,” Merlino said.
Earlier on Wednesday, The Victorian Department of Health said 10 new cases were identified in the 24 hours to midnight Tuesday, which includes the five new cases reported yesterday.
The sixth new case was only revealed during Merlino’s press conference. It will be added to tomorrow’s case tally.
Health authorities have updated the list of COVID-19 exposure sites, adding a number of popular nightlife and cafe venues across Melbourne to the Tier 1 category.
New Tier 1 exposure sites include Circus Bar in South Yarra; Three Monkeys and Somewhere Bar, both in Prahran; Port Park Cafe, The Local, and Bay 101 Cafe, all in Port Melbourne; Little Tienda, in Thornbury; Secco & Co, in Fitzroy North; and The Nicholson Coffee House, in Coburg.
In addition, Hairfolk salon in Bendigo, BP Southvale in Coburg, and the Axedale Tavern in Axedale have been listed as Tier 1 exposure sites, while authorities have updated exposure details for both the Epping Woolworths and Coles stores.
Anyone who has visited those sites in recent days has been urged to check the exposure site list. Anyone present at the times and dates listed must get a COVID-19 test immediately and self-isolate for 14 days from their date of exposure.
More than 26,000 COVID-19 tests were administered in the 24 hours to midnight Tuesday, and 15,858 vaccine doses were administered through the state.
More to come.