Melbourne family’s ‘mystery’ virus cases likely the Kappa strain
Kappa #Kappa
The Reservoir family of four who tested positive to COVID-19 in Melbourne’s north likely have the Kappa variant of the virus.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said genomic sequencing suggested the family had the UK origin strain, which matched the City of Whittlesea outbreak.
The four infections detected yesterday still remain mystery cases, with no clear acquisition source.
“The genomic sequencing has come back for that family and is suggesting a Kappa variant,” Professor Sutton said.
“In terms of managing those cases, their primary and secondary contacts have been identified.
“Some critical primary contacts have been tested and tested negative, but we need to look at how they may have acquired the infection and keep investigating those close contacts.”
Victoria recorded no new local cases of COVID-19 today, on the first day after Melbourne’s hard lockdown lifted.
The state’s Department of Health said one new overseas case was recorded in hotel quarantine.
In the 24 hours to midnight, 20,752 vaccine doses were administered and 17,604 test results were received.
“It is good news and news I know everyone in Victoria wanted to hear,” Acting Premier James Merlino said.
“Today is a terrific outcome but (this is) nowhere near over. We cannot be complacent but it is good news to be at zero.”
Mr Merlino called for more Victorians to come forward for testing after numbers dropped to just 17,604 tests yesterday amid severe weather conditions.
Anyone who lives in the concerning area of Craigieburn, who did not get tested yesterday, is urged to come forward.
“Please make plans today to get tested immediately,” Mr Merlino said.
Coronavirus fragments have been detected in wastewater, prompting concern.
The detections were found in the state’s north in Bendigo, in Melbourne’s north-west in Glenroy and Pascoe Vale, and in the eastern suburb regions of Whitehorse, Manningham and Monash.
The Commonwealth yesterday lifted its COVID-19 hotspot declaration over the city, which means Melburnians will no longer receive disaster payments, despite some businesses being required to remain closed for at least another week.
The Victorian Government also reversed its decision on masks yesterday, with face coverings still required to be worn outdoors until the state has its latest outbreak of the virus under control.
The harshest restrictions eased at 11.59pm yesterday, a week after it was initially hoped the state would be on top of the outbreak.
Mr Merlino emphasised “lockdown is not the first option” when dealing with coronavirus outbreaks in Victoria.
It comes as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she believes her state could avoid lockdowns in the future.
“Lockdown is not the first option. It is based on the nature of the outbreak,” he said.
“We have had outbreaks in Victoria that did not require a lockdown, where we did not get advice from public health to go into a circuit breaker.
“Given the generations of transmission, large number of exposure sites, thousands of close primary contacts, we had no option in this case.”
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Chris Perry said while the two-week lockdown appeared heavy-handed, the decision had the support of the medical community.
“They do seem a bit harsher than some of the other states have had, but they have a bigger problem than the other states,” he told Today.
The lifting of the lockdown in Melbourne means the five reasons to leave home no longer apply.
Private household gatherings are still prohibited, but public gatherings up to 10 people outdoors will be allowed, hospitality and retail sectors will reopen and students will return to schools.
Settings deemed high-risk such as gyms, amusement parks, dance studios, and nightclubs will remain closed.
The capacity limits are affecting businesses, which has prompted leaders from entertainment, hospital, arts, and cultural institutions to speak out.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Ballet have written an open letter to Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton to say their sectors are being financially ruined.
You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.