Source: ABCnews
Victoria has recorded 55 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, 25 of whom were quarantined during their infectious period.
Contact tracers have identified the source of infection for 49 of the cases.
The state processed 48,273 test results on Thursday and delivered 28,601 vaccine doses at state-run hubs.
There are more than 530 exposure sites listed in Victoria, including a Frankston vaccination hub and dozens of supermarkets and other essential shops across Melbourne added last night.
On Thursday, COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said 2,000 close contacts were due to leave quarantine today and he was anticipating new case numbers could be similar to Wednesday’s figure of 57.
“I’d expect to see again a fairly significant number of people who will test positive day 13, and they’ll kick on for their isolation period,” Mr Weimar told ABC Radio Melbourne.
St Kilda testing blitz to help solve mystery cases
Around 1,700 tests were taken across St Kilda sites on Thursday, as authorities try to understand the chains of transmission connecting a concerning number of mystery cases from the area.
Health authorities have asked anyone who lives, works or spends time in St Kilda and surrounding areas from Middle Park to North Caulfield to get tested.
Acting Chief Health Officer Ben Cowie has also flagged concern about a number of recent wastewater detections in areas without recent positive cases.
Professor Cowie said the industrial precinct in Sunshine West was of particular concern, with repeated strong detections from August 8 to August 18.
He said there were a number of businesses in the area, with “a lot” of staff, suggesting it was “more likely than not” that someone who works in the area currently has COVID-19.LIVE UPDATES: Read our blog for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic
“So my message is that if you work in that industrial precinct, come forward to be tested now, even if you don’t have symptoms,” Professor Cowie said.
The public housing tower at 240 Wellington Street, Collingwood, has also been designated a tier 2 site after wastewater detections there.
Anyone in Shepparton or Lakes Entrance is being urged to stay highly vigilant for symptoms, with detections dating back to August 16 and earlier.
Federal treasurer says Australians must accept reality of ‘living with the virus’
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg this morning assured Victorians that the federal government would continue to support the state through the lockdown.
But he warned ongoing support would not be sustainable once vaccination targets agreed upon by National Cabinet were reached.
Mr Frydenberg said Australians had to understand that the nation would not be able to completely eliminate the virus.
“It’s a fallacy to talk about elimination or expect us to reach elimination,” he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
“The public have to get used to the fact, even though it might be a very uncomfortable one, that living with the virus means you will see illness, you will see death, you will see more cases.”
Victoria’s Minister for Industry Support & Recovery Minister Martin Pakula disagreed, stating elimination was possible for the state.
“The aim with this two-week extension is to remove all of the traces of community transmission. We’ve done it two or three times before,” Mr Pakula said.
“It’s not at all out of the question that we can get those numbers back down to the place they were only a few weeks ago where we didn’t have cases circulating in the community.”
