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There have been 19 new cases of coronavirus in Victoria, with several of the new cases linked to known outbreaks and another school has been closed.
Of the new cases, one was a Grade 3 student from St Mary’s Primary School in Hampton. Families of other students have been notified, the school has been closed for cleaning and contact tracing is underway.
Another case has been linked to a family in Keilor Downs.
It is a close contact and takes the total number linked to that outbreak to 11, which is spread across nine households.
One new case is linked to a Coburg family, which brings that outbreak to 14.
Three new of the cases have been linked to the Stamford Plaza Hotel, bringing that outbreak to 13. The new cases are all contractors who work at the hotel.
Essendon player Conor McKenna’s positive diagnosis is counted in yesterday’s 19 cases, with the football club closed for deep cleaning.
The Lifeview Willow Wood in Cranbourne was visited by the outbreak squad yesterday and the Royal Freemasons Springtime in Sydenham is closed.
No visitors are allowed at nursing homes in lockdown.
There are now 121 active cases in Victoria.
The death rate remains at 19 with seven patients in hospital including two in intensive care.
More than 660,000 tests, an increase of 15,400 since yesterday.
The State of Emergency in Victoria has been extended until 11.59pm on July 19.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said it was extended as there was still a health emergency in Victoria.
“We have been concerned by the increasing numbers that we have seen in recent days,” she said.
“We have had particular concern around family gatherings … and, very concerningly, even going to work when they have mild symptoms.”
FEARS OF SECOND WAVE GROW
Victoria is on the brink of a devastating new wave of coronavirus infection.
A massive spike in positive tests, including Essendon footballer Conor McKenna, has sparked fears a new peak is coming for Victoria that could lead to new restrictions.
Premier Daniel Andrews told Victorians: “Don’t visit friends and family. Don’t go on holiday. Don’t go to work. Stay home.’’
In a dramatic day yesterday:
ESSENDON’S match today was postponed as its players faced a 14-day isolation following McKenna’s test;
SUBURB AN lockdowns are on the cards to stop localised outbreaks;
EASING of COVID-19 restrictions has been axed;
NEW border restrictions are under consideration.
McKenna was in self-isolation last night as the AFL discussed contingencies, and teammates faced an anxious wait to see if they too had been infected.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands the Federal Government raised concerns last week about the rising number of cases and the message sent by the Black Lives Matter rally a fortnight ago.
EXPLAINER: WHAT’S CHANGING IN VICTORIA FROM JUNE 22
ANDREWS THREAT TO LOCK DOWN OUTER SUBURBS
Melbourne’s outer suburbs could be locked down and residents subjected to door-to-door checks to slow the latest surge of coronavirus.
The local government areas of Hume, Brimbank and Casey have been driving the increase in coronavirus cases this month and Premier Daniel Andrews warned geographical restrictions might be introduced within days if large family outbreaks continued.
After discussing the measures with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Mr Andrews said a strict lockdown of hot spots with “unacceptable levels of community transmission” was called for under the national road map to reopen Australia.
The move would result in all residents in the target suburbs confined to home unless they were shopping for essentials, seeking medical or compassionate care, exercising, or undertaking work that was not possible to do from home.
Other areas would be more free to go about their lives.
“I cannot rule out the notion of hot spots where we see substantial community transmission being the subject of lockdowns,” Mr Andrews said.
“It may be the case in the days ahead that we have to move to those local government areas or suburbs where some of this activity has gone on, where the data tells us a very clear story that there are extra cases.” So far in June, Hume (17 cases), Brimbank (10), Casey (seven) and Darebin, Moreland and Cardinia (six cases each) have emerged as coronavirus hot spots, although Mr Andrews has not spelt out a timeline for the proposed measures and the trends could change over the coming weeks.
While he conceded it would be “complex” to operate with differing levels of restrictions, Mr Andrews said Victoria Police had done an excellent job in overseeing the rules.
“We will go door to door getting the message out there,” Mr Andrews said.
“We will go door to door if we have to make sure people are doing the right thing.”
FAMILY OUTBREAKS BLAMED FOR SPIKE
Irresponsible families are being blamed for placing Victoria on the brink of a second wave of coronavirus and plunging the state into another stage of restrictions.
As fresh COVID-19 cases continue to spiral, family gatherings will again be limited to no more than five guests per household, or groups of 10 in public spaces, from midnight tonight.
Premier Daniel Andrews also foreshadowed far tougher measures in the days and weeks ahead, including the lockdown of entire suburbs with unacceptable levels of community transmission.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Professor Brett Sutton, said: “We are absolutely at risk of a second peak.”
An easing of restrictions for pubs, restaurants and cafes planned for tomorrow was abandoned after Victoria yesterday recorded another 25 cases of coronavirus — only one of those was a returned international traveller.
The Federal Government has raised concerns that the spike occurred two weeks after thousands of Victorians marched in the streets for the Black Lives Matter protests.
The new cases have affected three schools — Albanvale Primary, Springside Primary in Caroline Springs and Camberwell Grammar.
Two aged-care homes — Cranbourne’s Lifeview Willow Wood and Sydenham’s Royal Freemasons Springtime — have been placed into lockdown.
Seven new cases were linked to a family in Keilor Downs, which now has 10 infected members across six households and another 50 close contacts in quarantine.
The surge in cases has included several families who have gathered in large numbers at home despite being ordered to isolate separately, including some who had tested positive for coronavirus.
“We have seen some families who have not done as they have been asked,” Mr Andrews said.
“We’ve had many stories, numerous stories, of families that have given it to each other and have then transmitted the virus to other families who have in turn passed it on to a third group. We will go door to door if we have to, to make sure people are doing the right thing.”
Other cases have included people returning to work while knowingly COVID-19 positive, prompting Mr Andrews to announce a hardship fund providing up to $1500 for those who cannot access sick leave.
Prof Sutton said there was no Plan B — Victorians had to heed the message immediately.
“This is the crossroads. We are at a point where we have to turn it around or the numbers get beyond us,” he said.
“But we can get on top of it and we must get on top of it because this virus doubles every week.”
There could be relief for regional Victoria though, with the Premier considering an easing of restrictions for areas free of community transmission.
A closing of the NSW border to Victorians from coronavirus hot spots was also being negotiated after the state detected 77 new COVID-19 cases in the past four days.
In an even more worrying trend, of the state’s 315 community transmissions since April 27, 155 have been passed on within a person’s own household or family.
With almost 1000 Victorians now placed in isolation and regarded as close contacts of infected cases, Prof Sutton said the Department of Health’s ability to monitor outbreaks would be exhausted if the trend was not reversed in the coming weeks.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands federal health minister Greg Hunt and Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy raised concerns about rising case numbers in Victoria at the start of last week.
One senior government source said the Federal Government watched the rise in cases and by Friday thought the state was dealing with a “significant problem”.
On Friday, Mr Hunt spoke to Victorian health authorities as well as his state counterpart and the message was clear: if Victoria needed to bring back tougher restrictions, the Federal Government would not be critical.
Yesterday, Mr Andrews called Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the spike and informed him that the state would not be easing restrictions tomorrow as planned. Mr Morrison emphasised his support for localised lockdowns, similar to that used in northwest Tasmania.
The Federal Government raised concerns over the large turnout at the Black Lives Matter protest in Melbourne a fortnight ago, while a senior government source said it “inadvertently sent a message that COVID-19 was over”.
“Those double standards broke trust and people simply gave up,” the source said.
Mr Hunt said Victoria had now agreed to a plan for “testing, tracing and where necessary, localised responses”.
“It is an absolutely clear reminder that this is not over, that the disease is still out there, and that while we are making progress, social distancing and avoiding mass gatherings such as protests is even more important,” Mr Hunt said.
Despite the spike in Victoria, the border with NSW is unlikely to close, due to potential difficulties faced by border communities such as Echuca-Moama and Albury-Wodonga.
GYMS TO REOPEN
Fitness fanatics can finally get their blood pumping again as gyms across the state throw open their doors after remaining off-limits for months.
From 12:01am tomorrow indoor sport centres can have up to 20 gym-goers for each space and 10 people in a class.
Chapel Street’s Kaya Health Club will be the first gym in Victoria to open to the public when the clock strikes midnight.
Founder Christian Ruggeri said the health club’s online classes had been a hit but nothing compares to sweating it out face-to-face.
“Members can only be motivated in front of a screen for so long”, Mr Ruggeri said.
“The only reason we are opening is to re-engage with our members and with our team”.
Bodhi and Ride chief executive Michaela Fellner said the South Yarra cycle studio would operate classes capped at 10 clients.
Those who missed out could borrow equipment from the studio to work out at home.
“About 100 bikes have been loaned out but we really want to have more people back because we can deliver classes safely”, Ms Fellner said.
“It’s a lifeline for us to keep out members engaged.”
Chapel Street Precinct Association general manager Chrissie Maus said: “Our growing health and fitness sector has been preparing for this day for a very long time and they will lead the way in hygiene standards to ensure the safety of their clients.”
VIDEO USED TO DETERMINE CLOSE CONTACTS OF MCKENNA
WHAT SHOCK POSITIVE TEST MEANS FOR AFL
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMinAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5oZXJhbGRzdW4uY29tLmF1L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzL21lbGJvdXJuZS1zdWJ1cmJzLW1heS1mYWNlLWxvY2tkb3duLWFzLWVhc2luZy1vZi1yZXN0cmljdGlvbnMtcG9zdHBvbmVkL25ld3Mtc3RvcnkvY2UzMzBmNTVjZDNiYzI3ZDFjN2ZlMDg3ZjJiZTAyOTfSAQA?oc=5
2020-06-21 00:57:00Z
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