Melbourne coronavirus clusters worsen, more outbreaks likely
Eleven people have tested positive to COVID-19 overnight, with three linked to the McDonald’s Fawkner and Cedar Meats outbreaks. It comes as the state braces for the shocking impact of the lockdown laws on cafes and restaurants.
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Victoria’s infection cases have jumped by 11 overnight including two more in relation to the Cedar Meats cluster that nears a new benchmark of 100 cases.
The new figures were revealed as the state moves to “ramp up” elective surgery to clear the growing medical backlog in Victoria.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos revealed the latest state tally had grown to 1554, with the meat works cluster reaching 98.
This includes 64 staff and 34 close contacts.
It comes as hundreds of McDonald’s workers are in isolation in the bid to stamp out the potential spread among the fast food workforce with two restaurants shut down and cleaned.
However, only one new case has come back positive in relation to the Fawkner food outlet, taking the total to 11.
DEVASTATING TOLL OF LOCAL BUSINESS CLOSURES REVEALED
The Craigieburn case remains at one and appears to have been transmitted through a relative working at the other store.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton also reiterated the message that more outbreaks were likely.
However, following criticism over the state’s handling of the Cedar Meats cluster Dr Sutton said authorities would “jump on” any potential spreading sources immediately.
It was also revealed more than 1200 teachers had been tested as part of the state blutz before students began returning to campuses on May 26.
Dr Sutton also revealed the AFL’s testing regime was being done privately and would not involve the state.
Despite four new community transmissions, Ms Mikakos said the state was pushing forward with elective surgery but warned the pandemic was ongoing.
“There will be a 50 per cent surgery rate by the end of May, which will hopefully be at 75 per cent by the end of June with elective surgery to fully resume by the end of July”,” she said.
So far 1417 Victorians have recovered and the death toll remains at 18.
Ms Mikakos said risk still existed in victoria and urged people to continue social distancing.
“This pandemic is not over and we all need to continue to keep taking those precautions.
“I know it’s been challenging for the past few months,” Ms Mikakos said.
“But just because the restrictions are starting up and you can do more things that doesn’t mean you should do those things.
“Everyone should be trying to stay home as much as possible.”
Policing of coronavirus restrictions remains ongoing, however fines have dropped significantly after the authorities said they would show discretion.
In the past 24 hours, Victoria Police conducted 623 spot checks at homes, businesses as part of Operation Sentinel and issued 20 fines.
Some of the breeches related to a gathering in Noble Park overnight were people were hanging out in a fast food carpark around midnight.
It comes as Victorians today celebrated their first weekend of freedom since restrictions lifted, enabling them to embark on day trips and outdoor activities like hiking and fishing.
SHOCK TOLL ON HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
A quarter of cafes and restaurants will never reopen after COVID-19 restrictions forced them to close, a peak body has warned.
The shocking indication of the impact of the lockdown laws comes as most states — excluding Victoria — move to reopen pubs and restaurants in a bid to give them a chance.
Beer started flowing in the Northern Territory and NSW on Friday in an easing of resections celebrated by the Prime Minister.
But the Victorian Government is refusing to allow pubs, restaurants and cafes to reopen, even with restrictions, until at least May 31.
Restaurant and Catering Industry Association chief executive Wes Lambert said many businesses would never recover, especially in tourism and hospitality.
“We expect thousands of hospitality businesses to close due to this crisis but we are optimistic for the future,” he said.
“Our advice (is) it’s better to stay open for takeaway and delivery, to keep contact with your customers and community, than to try and shut and re-open on the other side.
“Once those doors close, more often than not they close for good.”
Mr Lambert said he expected only “75 per cent of business to survive this” despite the $130 billion federal government wage subsidy scheme.
More than a quarter of the almost 900,000 Australians businesses signed on the JobKeeper scheme covering 6.1 million people are Victorian.
More than $7 billion has already flowed from government coffers into business accounts.
Speaking after National Cabinet on Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulated all hospitality businesses that reopened on Friday in states where it was allowed.
“As businesses and cafes and others are opened up this weekend, those businesses knowing that just 10 patrons at a time won’t necessarily be a profitable patronage for them to really sustain that, (but) they’re backing themselves, they’re backing their staff, they’re backing their communities and they’re backing their country,” he said.
“I want to commend them for that brave step they’re taking this weekend — good on you for reopening.”
Victoria’s case total rose to 1543 on Friday, with one new case linked to the Cedar Meats cluster and six being returned travellers in quarantine.
Victoria still has about half as many cases as NSW.
Despite the rise in cases, just seven people remained in intensive case across Victoria.
More than 7000 Australians have contracted the virus but last night fewer than 100 people had died.
The global figures were much worse — with more than 300,000 people dead and at least 4.3 million official cases.
Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy this week said the global figure was more like 20 million cases.
While some states are easing restrictions, others including Victoria, are steadfast.
South Australian police have set up “border control stations” across their state to ensure those entering are abiding by a 14-day quarantine law.
“These sites have been strategically established to capture the maximum flow of vehicle movements on the main transport corridors entering the state,” a South Australia Police spokeswoman said.
Essential workers going into SA don’t have to abide by the rule, in place since March 25.
A handful of SA mayors have called for small roads into the state to be blocked in a bid to make it easier for police to patrol, but it is understood this won’t happen because of staffing and logistical constraints.
A Victorian Government spokesman said the border was a matter for South Australia.
“Our message to Victorians remains clear — if you can stay home you must stay home,” he said.
REACH OUT, HELP IS AT HAND
It’s OK to not feel OK during the coronavirus pandemic.
That was the message from Australia’s leaders and health experts as they announced a $48.1 million boost to support the mental health of all Aussies amid COVID-19 and the economic downturn.
National Cabinet on Friday agreed to support the Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan.
While suicide rates have not gone up yet, Health Minister Greg Hunt said it was important to remain vigilant and invest in the space.
“That is heartening and more heartening than we’d expected there,” he said.
“We watch very carefully, however, because these things can build up, they can brew, people can dwell and so we want to get ahead of the curve.”
The funding package was focused on data and modelling, outreach and connectivity.
Almost $30 million will go to reaching vulnerable groups including older people, culturally diverse people, carers and indigenous communities.
National Mental Health Commission head Christine Morgan said young people were of particular concern, with many impacted by the job losses.
“It means that we are OK at the moment, and therefore we need to not only keep doing what we’re doing, but make sure we accelerate it and embed it,” she said.
Anyone who needs help or support can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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