Source: ABCnews
Victoria has recorded 176 new locally acquired COVID-19 infections, a day after the Premier conceded driving the state’s Delta outbreak down to zero was no longer possible.Contact tracers have linked 83 of the new cases to existing outbreaks.
Health authorities say more information will be provided later about the number of cases who were in quarantine while infectious.The state processed 48,372 test results on Wednesday, when state-run clinics administered 33,720 doses of vaccine.
On Wednesday, Premier Daniel Andrews said Victorians could no longer “hold out hope” of stamping out the Delta outbreak, and must instead limit the growth of cases while the community urgently vaccinates itself.
Exposure sites grow across Melbourne and GeelongMore tier 1 exposure sites have been listed across metropolitan Melbourne, with anyone who attended the sites urged to get tested immediately and isolate.Positive COVID-19 cases attended Base Backpackers hostel in St Kilda, Kasr Sweets in Coolaroo, Broadmeadows Family Health Care in Broadmeadows, and Serco Services Australia in Essendon Fields.
Tier 2 exposure sites have been listed in Altona North, Keilor East, Tarneit, Southbank, Hawthorn, Brunswick East, Sunshine, Elsternwick, Hadfield and Albion.In wider Victoria, tier 2 sites have been identified in at a Coles, the 7 Origins Café and the Poco Café Express, all in Geelong West.
No new exposure sites were identified in the Greater Shepparton area.Businesses crushed by reality of extended lockdownVictorian business owners said Wednesday’s state government announcement marked a “day of disappointment”, warning of the long term economic consequences of the lockdown.
Victorian head of the peak employer association Ai Group, Tim Piper, accused the government of dragging its heels on business support, saying the announced reopening of playgrounds was an insufficient reward for struggling business owners.
“Kids back into playgrounds is a positive change,” he said.”But it doesn’t create any new economic activity, offer any security for jobs or job creation, help high school and VCE students or young adults.”General manager of the Chapel Street Precinct Association Chrissie Maus echoed Mr Piper’s sentiments, saying Victorian businesses had been given no hope by the government.
“It’s only small privileges like playgrounds that are being dangled in front of us. Businesses are begging for some relief. We are not children, it’s as though we’re all in class detention,” she said.
The government said it would have more to say about business support in the next few days.Government considering shorter AstraZeneca vaccine intervals and mandatory jabs Mr Andrews yesterday confirmed a medical committee of experts was exploring whether the interval period between doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine could be reduced for Victorians.
ATAGI released advice on July 13 recommending a shorter interval of between four to eight weeks for the AstraZeneca vaccine in outbreak situations.
New South Wales residents are able to receive their second AstraZeneca dose four weeks after their first”I can confirm for you that they [Victorian medical experts] are looking at that matter right now,” Mr Andrews said.
“My view is yes, I want to see that happen. But there’s a process to go through. If it was my job to sign it off, I’d sign it off. But we need doctors to make medical decisions.”
Mr Andrews also said mandatory vaccinations would eventually come into effect for certain workforces such as aged care.
“We will almost certainly mandate in a number of different settings,” he said.
“To get to a number that will be higher than 80 per cent, higher than the community vaccination rate, I’m just foreshadowing I think we will have to mandate in a number of those areas but we have to do that respectfully.”
Victoria has administered 5,039,494 vaccinations through both state and Commonwealth channels in Victoria as of August 31.
