The secret weapon helping solve baffling virus cases, Victoria records 35th day of zero cases

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says the rules around compulsory mask use in Victoria can soon be eased.

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A further change to Victoria’s mask rules has been flagged, with Victoria’s Chief Health Officer telling a parliamentary inquiry the state was reaching a point where rules around compulsory use could be eased.

Speaking to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee, Professor Brett Sutton said no final decision had been made ahead of Sunday’s planned announcement on restrictions.

But he said Victoria was reaching a point where mandatory mask use could be further rolled back.

“We’re clearly moving through a phase where the utility of masks becomes less and less,” he said.

“I think, It’s to be determined this weekend, but we will move to a phase where there is even more limited use of masks in public.”

“But the recommendation for mask wearing still exists around Australia ... it is a kind of insurance for all of us.

“We don’t know whether another incursion into the country might come from.”

Health Minister Martin Foley also said State of Emergency powers, due to expire on Sunday, would be extended.

“Because that’s the advice of the public health team and to not do so would see the establishment of the hotel quarantine arrangements collapse on Monday,” he said.

“Hotel quarantine powers are based on the declaration of the state of emergency.”

MELBOURNE TO BE HOME TO NATION’S FIRST GENOMICS HUB

A secret new computer program has been able to identify the source of previously baffling mystery coronavirus cases in a move expected to bolster Victoria’s contact tracing system.

In use by state public health investigators since September, the Mystery Case Tracker is designed to cut hours or even days from the time taken to identify the source of new COVID-19 cases, limiting the threat of outbreaks spreading.

By taking the information provided during contact tracing interviews with all new cases, the computer program immediately builds a map of all their movements to compare to all known exposure sites, timelines and clusters.

It comes as Victoria recorded its 35th day of zero new coronavirus cases.

There were 8784 tests conducted in the past 24 hours. No new deaths were recorded.

Crowds have returned to Melbourne’s CBD after lockdown. Picture: David Geraghty/NCA NewsWire.

But public transport remains quieter than pre-COVID. Picture: NewsWire

Developed in-house by the health department’s epidemiologists and public health data experts, the Mystery Case Tracker is believed to be the first program in Australia able to generate a digital diagram mapping links between cases, contacts and their movements.

Director of Investigations and Analysis Charles Alpren said the program had proved vital in identifying the source of at least two cases that had baffled investigators, helping to end the state’s second wave.

“It was really successful. It was very exciting when we started using the app,” Dr Alpren said.

“It allowed us to spot where we needed to ask more questions or where we needed to be more certain of key events.

“We found things with the Mystery Case Tracker that made us want to go and check we hadn’t missed anything anywhere else.

“This allows us to see the networks and see the transmission, so we know exactly where we need to be focusing our efforts.”

During sometimes exhaustive contact tracing interviews COVID-19 cases are asked to recall all their movements and contacts from up to 14 days before; data is fed into the program to produce a map.

Although contact tracing still relies on people being honest and accurate in the information they provide, Dr Alpren said the computer-­generated mapping makes it quicker and easier to see potential links to other cases or timelines, prompting additional questioning that can overcome some mysteries.

Health Minister Martin Foley said the Mystery Case Tracker boosted the contact tracing system and would help keep state businesses open.

“Staying one step ahead of this incredibly infectious virus means continuing to advance our case and contact tracing systems, to keep our community safe,” he said.

“Finding the link between people, places and times is the key to outbreak investigation and management — the team have done an amazing job to build this new tool that allows these investigations to be done quickly and robustly.

“We’ve all got a part to play to protect ourselves and those we love from this virus — whether it’s the public health team who are working around the clock, cases providing accurate information to help them do their work, or every Victorian who is staying at home and getting testing when they’re sick — we thank you.”

NATIONAL GENOMICS HUB TO BE BASED IN MELBOURNE

Australia’s first Genomics Hub is set to be established in Melbourne as part of a $60 million project by the state government.

The new facility - the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region - will be set up in the University of Melbourne in partnership with research experts Illumina.

Up to 150 jobs are expected to be created with the establishment of the hub, Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said at this morning’s announcement.

“This Genomics Hub will bring together the best genomics expertise and technology in Australia, delivering better public health outcomes and support in both research and diagnostics,” Mr Pallas said.

“It will give local researchers access to the world class technologies and help support the analysis of vast amounts of data to better understand the human genome and translate this to new commercial applications.”