Positive COVID-19 swab detected at a Melbourne hospital

Victoria has recorded its eighth straight double doughnut day, but an inconclusive swab has been detected in a Melbourne hospital.

Victoria has recorded another virus free day, with the state managing eight consecutive days without recording a single coronavirus case.

But a positive swab taken in a Melbourne hospital has revealed one case, linked to aged care, is still shedding the virus.

Health Minister Martin Foley said the patient was receiving care for an unrelated condition and would not be included in Saturday’s case numbers given health authorities believe the person is still shedding an old infection.

Health Minister Martin Foley said the cause would be treated with caution.

They had previously tested positive and were not considered to be an active case, Mr Foley added.

But he said the case would be treated “with an abundance of caution”, or as though it was a positive case.

Victorian health authorities will also conduct a testing blitz across several public settings this weekend as the State Government prepares to hand down the latest steps out of lockdown on Sunday.

There were no cases and no deaths announced on Saturday.

The 14-day rolling average for metropolitan Melbourne remains well below the safe threshold of five, falling to 0.9.

Once again, yesterday there were 0 new cases and 0 lives lost. The 14 day average is 0.9, there are 2 cases with unknown source. More info here and later today https://t.co/9doy7E46CP pic.twitter.com/rTsXuWM4d9

— VicGovDHHS (@VicGovDHHS) November 6, 2020

The number of cases from an unknown source remains at two.

Victoria hasn’t recorded a single case of COVID-19 since October 30, when four infections were recorded. The state also hasn’t had more than a week of zero cases since February.

There are no active cases across the state’s aged care system.

More restrictions are expected to ease on Sunday, including the removal of Melbourne’s 25km travel bubble while the “ring of steel” between the city and regional Victoria could be lifted.

The ‘ring of steel’ between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria could be scrapped. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Penny Stephens

Caps on indoor venues such as gyms and restaurants will loosen.

Childcare and early educators are open, schools are open for onsite learning but adult education classes must be done from home if possible.

However, the Herald Sun reported masks would be discussed at a Crisis Council of Cabinet meeting on Saturday.

According to the publication, there has been discussion between health authorities that requirements around masks could be removed when outdoors or alone.