Victoria records one new local case of coronavirus as restrictions ease
Victoria has recorded one new case of Covid-19 as strict health restrictions ease after the state’s snap lockdown.
Victoria has recorded one new case of Covid-19 as strict health restrictions ease after the state’s snap lockdown.
In the past 24 hours, one new locally acquired case of coronavirus was recorded by authorities and placed into hotel quarantine.
Another three cases, all acquired overseas, are also in quarantine.
Victorian health minister Martin Foley confirmed the local case was linked to the outbreak at a Southbank apartment complex which has been in lockdown for almost a fortnight.
The state has been on high alert after an Oakleigh man, in his 60s, tested positive to the virus on Thursday after returning from Sydney on Sunday.
The man’s co-worker at the Sandringham Dry Cleaners also tested positive, with genomic testing this week confirming both men acquired the Delta strain.
Authorities said both men had limited movements and no exposure sites have been linked to the cases.
But Mr Foley said it was a critical time for the state.
“We know that this Delta virus spreads fast and we have moved, we hope, as fast as we possibly can, to catch up with it and indeed get ahead of it,” he said.
The new cases come after no new locally acquired cases were reported on Friday.
It brings the state’s total number of cases to 51.
Health authorities received more than 21,000 test results in the 24 hours to midnight.
Reported yesterday: 1 new local case and 3 new cases acquired overseas (currently in HQ).
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) June 25, 2021
- 19,807 vaccine doses were administered
- 21,595 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/2vKbgKHFvv#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/onKTHxh8R4
It comes as the state tightened its border with New South Wales residents, with police increasing patrols across state lines.
Greater Sydney, including Central Coast and Blue Mountains, and Wollongong, including Shellharbour, have been declared red zones and residents barred from entering.
“This is the critical time in running down this New South Wales seeded Delta into Victoria,” Mr Foley said on Saturday.
“We need people to come forward if you have been in contact with any of those places and to get tested quickly and to stay isolated until you get your negative return.”
Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said the movements of the Sandringham cases was fairly limited.
Those who visited the dry cleaning business have been urged to urgently get tested and isolate.
“Your decision to test is our first line of defence against the spread of the virus,” Professor Sutton said.
“It is how we learn about any new case, how we protect the community from the risk of infection.”
Restrictions have since eased for Victorians after the state was plunged into a snap lockdown following a sudden cluster of locally acquired cases earlier this month.
Households can now have up to 15 guests per day and crowds will be allowed back at sporting games.
Masks will still need to be worn in indoor public settings.
Funerals, weddings and events can now have up to 300 people subject to the venue size; however, dancing is prohibited.
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