Coronavirus: Where Victoria’s new cases are coming from

Victoria has recorded 74 new virus cases overnight as community transmissions continue to rise. Here’s where they came from.

Victoria has recorded 74 new coronavirus cases overnight as community transmissions continue to increase.

Speaking from Melbourne this morning, Premier Daniel Andrews gave a breakdown of where the cases have came from:

• 16 were linked to outbreaks;

• One was a returning traveller in hotel quarantine; and

• 53 further cases are under investigation.

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The 16 cases linked to outbreaks include:

• Two healthcare workers linked to Northern Hospital Epping’s emergency department;

• Two cases linked to the Stamford Plaza outbreak, including new household contact case, and a security guard who was already in quarantine;

• One linked to the Truganina family outbreak

• Eight new cases linked to the Al-Taqwa College outbreak;

• One new case and one previously under investigated linked to the Flemington public housing outbreak;

• Two new cases linked to Roxburgh Park outbreak; and

• Two cases previosuly under investigation now linked to the north Melbourne case.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said there is a “mix” of postcodes in these new cases, adding that the concentration is “absolutely” still in the restricted postcodes.

There is a total of 543 active coronavirus cases across the state, with 26 people in hospital. Over 21,000 people were tested yesterday.

Mr Andrews also announced a series of new measures relating to the residents in the nine public housing towers that have been impacted:

• No rent for these tenants for two weeks;

• Those who are working will get a $1500 hardship payment;

• A $750 hardship payment will be given for those out of work; and

• Nurses and other staff will move through the towers to test all people living there.

To stem new infections, the government increased the number of suburbs in lockdown with nine public housing blocks now completely off limits with residents forced to remain in doors for at least five days.

Mr Andrews urged people to stay in their homes. “We cannot have this virus spread,” the Premier said at his daily briefing. “We have to do everything we can to contain the virus and that is why staying in your flat is absolutely essential.

“If we have a large group of people who already have pre-existing and underlying health challenges infected with this virus, then people will die. It is as simple as that.”

He added that all the usual messages have not changed. “If you are sick, the only reason to go out is to get tested. If you are in a locked-down suburb you need to follow the rules.”