Innocent act that contributed to virus spike

This small, unassuming act had large consequences, causing another person to contract the virus in a Melbourne quarantine hotel.

Victoria’s virus spike is continuing to worsen, and authorities today revealed an innocent act which they believe contributed to the current outbreak.

There were 49 new cases overnight, and one of them was from a quarantine hotel between two guests.

The virus managed to spread in the hotel after two people shared a cigarette lighter, Premier Dan Andrews revealed.

“To the best of our knowledge, we believe that some of those cases may well have come from people sharing a cigarette lighter,” Premier Andrews told media this morning.

These people were “keeping their distance, but ultimately, sharing a lighter”, he explained.

“Not a wilful breach of anything, but one of those things where an apparently innocent thing can lead to transmitting the virus.”

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The Stamford Plaza Hotel in Little Collins St. has been closed due to an outbreak of COVID-19. Picture: Ian Currie

He used this incident as a cautionary tale of how easy it is for the virus to spread, saying: “That is how wildly infectious this is.”

It wasn’t the only innocent mistake that has led to a new coronavirus case overnight.

“There also seems to be some likelihood that some carpooling arrangements between staff may well have meant that they were in closer contact than you would like,” Mr Andrews added.

Large family gatherings are also contributing to Victoria’s virus spike.

“Big families getting together with other big families makes for very large gatherings, and if someone is unwell, that means lots of people leave that gathering positive,” he said.

“They may not know it, some of them may never get symptoms, but again, it is a pretty obvious thing.”

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews revealed that the simple act of sharing a lighter can spread the virus. Picture: Ian Currie

The Premier used these cases as warnings for people to stay vigilant and maintain social distancing at all costs.

“This is not over and there are thousands and thousands of people working day and night,” he said.

“Please work with us, please do the right thing, please follow the rules, please get tested. That is the key message.

“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 wanted to be over is no excuse for behaving badly.”