‘Certainty’ more cases are out there as Victoria records 29 new infections

The number of Covid-19 infections in Victoria has ballooned and authorities warn there are certainly more cases in the community.

Victoria has recorded 29 new local coronavirus cases as the state battles through its sixth lockdown and authorities warn there are likely more cases in the community.

None of the new cases had been in quarantine prior to testing positive, sparking fear the state could face another serious outbreak and even a longer lockdown.

Premier Daniel Andrews said while the cases were all linked, authorities did not know where the two outbreaks started.

“So there are mystery cases that sit behind this,” he told reporters on Saturday.

“The cases we have found since are linked to others that we knew, but they’ve been out in the community and there’s every reason, in fact there is a certainty, that there are more cases out there.”

Reported yesterday: 29 new local cases and 0 new cases acquired overseas.
- 22,335 vaccine doses were administered
- 43,618 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/HxvpQOmyUb

— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) August 6, 2021

There are seven people in hospital with the virus, including two in the intensive care unit on ventilators.

“There is arguably nothing more important than people getting tested as soon as they register symptoms — that is how we shut this down,” Mr Andrews said.

Covid-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said 5520 primary close contacts had been identified, with 3500 associated with the new outbreaks.

“We cleared 433 primary close contacts yesterday,” he said.

“In terms of the new cases we’re reporting today, four of those cases are family members in the City of Maribyrnong cluster,” Mr Weimar said.

“All the other 25 cases today are associated with the Hobsons Bay cluster. One of those is a family member of the original case.

“Four of them are associated with the Spectacle Hub in Caroline Springs. That is one staff member, one customer and two further household members.”

There are also cases linked to a Newport-West Footscray football match, the Australian Islamic Centre in Newport and a staff member at the Wolf Cafe in Altona North.

The remaining cases are a staff member, 14 students and two household members linked to students at Al-Taqwa College.

Covid-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar speaks to the media. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

“The genomics for both these two strands … are both confirmed as Delta strains,” Mr Weimar said.

“We have not yet found an identical match to any other existing clusters, either here in Victoria or anywhere else in Australia, but we are doing ongoing matching with other Australian outbreaks.

“It is very closely associate with the New South Wales cluster.”

Two of the positive cases identified today are “old infections” and authorities might ultimately declare them no longer active.

“They relate to two family members of the City of Maribyrnong case, who spent some time in Sydney hotel quarantine and returned to Victoria on July 15,” Mr Weimar said.

“This is only one of a number of possible leads.”

Of the positive cases identified today, eight are in a family home in a public housing residence — the Flemington public housing tower, which is now among 82 public exposure sites.

Another 29 cases have been recorded. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

“Those eight positive cases relocated two days ago and last night — one group left two days ago and one group left last night,” Mr Weimar said.

“They are now in alternative and safe accommodation. We will be undertaking full testing of the rest of that housing building. That work is underway.”

The current Victorian outbreak first became known on Wednesday evening.

The following day, the state reported six local cases and went into lockdown.

Since 8pm on Thursday, Victorians have only five legitimate reasons to leave home including shopping for essentials, work or study (if it cannot be done at home), caregiving, exercise for up to two hours and to get vaccinated.

The lockdown is scheduled to last for a week.