Prompted by a surge in coronavirus cases, Victorian authorities have taken a proactive approach to find those infected and slow the contagion's spread. So, what does the blitz involve and is it proving effective?
Why is Victoria on a testing blitz?
While other Australian states appear to have flattened the coronavirus curve, Victoria is suffering a spike in cases.
Just a fortnight ago, the state was recording an average of three new cases a day. By Friday that was 23. Today, officials revealed 49 cases were recorded overnight, taking the state's toll above 2,000.
What has had authorities most worried over the past week is the recent increase in cases of "community transmission", where the source of the infection is unknown.
On Saturday, 15 cases were categorised as community transmission and on Sunday another five.
On Friday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews launched a testing blitz aimed to detect more cases, and hopefully stop the virus spreading further.
"This suburban testing blitz is all about finding all of those people that have this virus, then having them quarantined in their home with appropriate support," he said.
"The numbers will grow, but that's exactly the strategy: find these cases."
What does the blitz involve?
Under the "suburban testing blitz", 100,000 people are hoped to be tested for coronavirus over 10 days.
Medical staff are going door-to-door hoping to test at least half the residents of 10 Melbourne suburbs that have recorded the highest numbers of recent community transmission cases.
They include Keilor Downs and Broadmeadows, where testing has been focused in the first weekend.
The other suburbs are:
- Maidstone
- Albanvale
- Sunshine West
- Hallam
- Brunswick West
- Fawkner
- Reservoir
- Pakenham
Mr Andrews last week said about 1,000 people would doorknocking homes with information about COVID-19 and testing, and 800 people would be conducting tests.
Is the blitz proving effective?
It's just too early to say.
On Sunday, Mr Andrews said about 40,000 tests had so far been carried out under the suburban blitz.
That is 40 per cent of the State Government's goal of 100,000 tests, but there is still a week left for officials to meet their objective.
Mr Andrews said a full update on the blitz would be provided in the coming days, but he said the scheme had earned praise from the Commonwealth's outgoing Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy.
"He's very comfortable, and in fact, sees this as a textbook response and one that other states will be well served by, having that clearly demonstrated strategy, a very local strategy, given that outbreaks and indeed additional cases are part and parcel of a suppression strategy," Mr Andrews said.
Will Melbourne's COVID-19 hotspots be locked down?
Mr Andrews said the results of the suburbs testing blitz would determine whether a previously flagged option of locking down coronavirus hotspots would go ahead.
"We're not going to change settings in the hotspot suburbs until we've completed and concluded the blitz," he said.
"Test and trace is the most effective thing we can do.
"If we have to implement a stay-at-home order, if that is deemed the appropriate public health response, that is what we will do. I'm not announcing that today."
What else is Victoria doing to slow the spread?
The Victorian Government announced on Sunday it was introducing mandatory testing for returned travellers on day 11 of their isolation.
Anyone who does not consent to a test will not be allowed to leave hotel quarantine for a further 10 days, meaning they will be forced to stay in isolation for 24 days instead of 14.
He added some parents had previously refused testing for their children because the nasal swab test was uncomfortable, but a saliva test which was "much less painful" was now available as an option.
Mr Andrews said other states had begun processing tests for Victoria so the state could address its backlog.
And last week, with school holidays about to start, the state's Deputy Chief Health Officer Annaliese van Diemen urged people to try and minimise social gatherings over the break.
"We ask residents of Victoria to really think about whether they need to undertake frequent social events, either between extended family groups or social groups," she said.
"This is the thing that is driving transmission at the moment."
To help minimise the spread of coronavirus in holiday destinations, the Victorian Government is distributing 4,800 thermometers to businesses operating in the Alps, the Great Ocean Road and the high country, which are expected to be busy over the school holidays.
Businesses will be able to take a guest's temperature at check-in to ensure they do not have a fever, one of the symptoms of COVID-19.
Are there any signs of when things will return to normal?
The short answer is no.
Mr Andrews was blunt in warning overcoming the pandemic would take time and Victorians needed to do their part.
"It is not over. It is with us for months and months until we get a vaccine. I take no joy in having to be as direct as that, but it is not over, and the fact you want it to be over is no excuse for behaving badly. You have got to do the right thing," he said.
He urged Victorians to work together to flatten the curve.
"The more we can all stay united and consistent and do the right thing, the quicker we will beat this," he said.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA2LTI4L3ZpY3Rvcmlhbi1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy10ZXN0aW5nLWJsaXR6LXRleHRib29rLWRhbi1hbmRyZXdzLXNheXMvMTI0MDA5MDTSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI0MDA5MDQ?oc=5
2020-06-28 06:38:55Z
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