Coronavirus Melbourne: The Masked Singer outbreak grows to 16

The COVID cluster among the The Masked Singer production team has grown to 16, after 7 dancers were confirmed positive on Saturday.

The cluster of coronavirus cases among The Masked Singer production team has grown to 16.

It comes after seven dancers from the celebrity singing competition tested positive over the weekend, with the show forced to suspend filming on Saturday.

A Network 10 spokesperson told news.com.au: “Network 10 can confirm that 16 members of The Masked Singer production team have received a positive test result for COVID-19.

“All members of The Masked Singer production will undergo a 14-day period of self-quarantine as advised by the Department of Health and Human Services. All production crew will be adhering to this instruction.

“The health and safety of the community, and our staff and production partners remains our number one priority. Network 10 is providing all crew with all the support and assistance possible.

“We would like to thank the Victorian Government and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services for their continued support and assistance during this time.

“We continue to work closely with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.”

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Masked Singer judge Jackie O revealed her test result on air on Monday. Picture: Channel 10.

The Masked Singer host Osher Gunsberg and judges singer Dannii Minogue, radio host Jackie O and comedians Dave Hughes and Urzila Carlson were all forced into isolation on Saturday as they awaited the results of their tests.

Last night on The Project, Dave Hughes confirmed the judging panel and host Osher Gunsberg had returned negative tests, while Jackie O read her results on air during the Kyle and Jackie O show.

The Network 10 show was just two hours away from filming the grand finale in Melbourne’s Docklands Studios on Saturday when the decision was made to shut it down after producers consulted with the Department of Health and Human Services.

“The pyrotechnics were loaded, everyone was in costume and we were ready to go,” Gunsberg said on The Project Sunday night from self-isolation.

It was a dancer who first fell ill and spread COVID-19 to other co-workers, with Gunsberg praising the dancer for speaking up.

Osher Gunsberg praised the dancer’s bravery for speaking out quickly. Picture: Channel 10.

“This person was so brave … (they) put their hand up and said, ‘Hang on, guys, I’m not feeling so great.’ They were brave enough to pull the emergency brake on the freight train.

“We hit stop and everyone shut down.

“Nothing is as important as everyone’s safety. I hope we can set that as an example: if you’re not feeling great, it’s not worth it.’”

Contract tracers are now trying to figure out how the dancers first came into contact with coronavirus.

The Masked Singer has recorded all episodes except for the grand finale, meaning viewers will still see the show on Monday and Tuesday nights for the next three weeks.

While the entire production team still remains in self-quarantine, Channel 10 has confirmed the finale will go ahead.

The outbreak also forced production on Nine’s Eddie McGuire-hosted quiz show Millionaire Hot Seat to cease, as the two shows share some facilities at Docklands Studios.

A Channel 9 spokesperson told news.com.au no members of the Millionaire Hot Seat production team had tested positive.

Filming of The Masked Singer at Docklands Studios has been suspended following a COVID-19 outbreak on the set. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling

WHY THEY WERE STILL FILMING

On Sunday, the Victorian Premier and Chief Health Officer defended the decision to allow The Masked Singer to film in Melbourne despite stage 4 restrictions being in place.

According to the Directions of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, television broadcasting is a permitted industry, hence why the show was allowed to continue shooting in the Docklands.

The show had a COVID-safe plan in place which was approved by authorities.

“I don’t think any particular outbreak that occurs in an industry necessarily means that anything has gone wrong,” Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said.

“It does relate to the fact that anyone that comes in with the virus can spread it to others in a workplace.

“The determination has been made around broad sectors that are considered essential and television is one of those.”