Victoria records three new COVID-19 cases as cluster worsens

Victoria has recorded new COVID-19 cases, with the Melbourne cluster “directly linked” to Sydney growing.

Victoria has recorded three new locally acquired coronavirus cases, as the cluster “directly linked” to Sydney worsens.

A total of 22, 477 tests were carried out in the 24 hours to Sunday morning, a day after the state recorded ten cases.

No new cases were recorded in hotel quarantine.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said all new local cases were linked to the Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant in Black Rock cluster.

“The public health advice is that Victoria should take great comfort from today’s numbers,” Ms Allan said.

“There is great work being done by our tracing teams, and the testing regime is out in force. Victorians are doing a great job following the rules and practising COVID-safe behaviour which is contributing to a low number of cases.

“It’s a strong and positive sign about where Victoria is today.”

Of the 21 cases in the new cluster, 13 had attended the restaurant on December 21, including the three new cases on Sunday.

Genomic sequencing has revealed the cluster is directly linked to the Greater Sydney outbreak, however authorities are still yet to determine how the virus entered the southern state.

People queue in the rain at the Alfred Hospital COVID testing site on Sunday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Deputy chief health officer Allen Cheng said there were a number of theories.

“We haven’t found the source, but we are looking at several lines of investigation, including one person who came from Sydney but not from the northern beaches,” he said.

“I want to emphasise how cooperative the cafe was... They kept quite good records, which goes to show the importance of keeping good records.”

Queues for testing at the Alfred Hospital on Sunday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Testing sites have amped up their operating hours on Sunday, with all Department of Health and Human Services drive-through sites open from 8am to 8pm, and people reporting long queues before opening time.

The Melbourne Showgrounds testing clinic, which tested 1027 people on Saturday, has also extended their opening hours to 9.30am-7pm with all four lanes open.

There are more than 51 exposure sites active listed by Victoria Health, with Victorians urged to follow advice on the DHHS website.

Later on Sunday, Queensland’s chief health officer Jeanette Young said restrictions on travel from Victoria to the Sunshine State will remain as they are at least until later next week, when they will be “reviewed”.

She did however announce that anyone who has been in Victoria after December 21 will be barred from visiting aged care homes and other facilities housing vulnerable populations after 1am Monday.