Coronavirus: Up to 1000 refused virus test in Melbourne hotspots

Premier Daniel Andrews has highlighted two virus hotspot suburbs in Melbourne in which 923 tests had been refused by residents.

A member of the ADF administers a COVID-19 test at Melbourne Showgrounds. Picture: Getty

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has highlighted Broadmeadow and Keilor Downs as two coronavirus hotspot suburbs in Melbourne in which 923 COVID-19 tests had been refused by residents.

It comes as Mr Andrews reimposed draconian restrictions across swathes of Melbourne hot spots, as health authorities manage “unacceptably high rates” of community transmission, with 64 new cases confirmed on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Andrews said ten postcodes would only be allowed to leave their house for four reasons – work, school, care or care giving, daily exercise, food and other essentials. Commencing at midnight tomorrow night, the lockdown will run for four weeks until July 29.

He also wouldn’t rule out implementing tougher punishments for people who refused to be tested.

“I hope not to have to fine people. I hope people realise that this is very serious and that if we don’t get this under control in these given communities and beyond that,” he said.

“If everyone doesn’t follow the rules, if everybody lets their frustration get the better of them and they just act like it’s over because they wanted to be and I understand that. I understand that people are desperate for this to be over.”

64 new cases on Tuesday

Victoria has confirmed 64 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday.

The new cases represent the fourteenth consecutive day of double digit increases, and come after 75 new cases were confirmed on Monday.

Four previously notified cases have been reclassified due to duplication, meaning Victoria’s total number of cases has increased by 60 since Monday, to 2159.

Of the new cases, 13 have been linked to known outbreaks, 20 have been identified through routine testing and 31 are under investigation.

None of Tuesday’s new cases have been detected in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

There are 321 active cases in Victoria as of Tuesday – 190 more than this time last week.

The state’s death toll is steady at 20, with no recent deaths.

The source of infection for 281 of Victoria’s cases has not been established.

There are nine people in Victorian hospitals with COVID-19, including one patient in intensive care, while 1816 people have recovered from the virus.

More than 809,000 tests have been processed to date.

Of Victoria’s new cases on Tuesday linked to outbreaks:

• Six new cases are part of a cluster linked to security guards at the Stamford Plaza quarantine hotel, taking the total number of cases in that outbreak to 29. All cases were close contacts tested while in quarantine.

• Two new cases have been linked to Albanvale Primary School, taking the total linked to the school to seven. One was a student who was a close contact of the original case, and the second is a household contact of a known case.

• One new case has been linked to the outbreak at the Coles Chilled Distribution Centre in Laverton, taking the total linked to the facility to five. A health department outbreak squad has visited the site, which has undergone a deep clean. Further contact tracing is under way and close contacts will need to quarantine.

• Two staff members at the StarTrack courier facility in Tullamarine have tested positive. Both worked while infectious. Cleaning will be undertaken at the site and contact tracing is under way.

• Two people linked to the Hugo Boss store on Melbourne’s Collins Street have tested positive. The new cases include a staff member and a household contact, taking the total linked to the store to three. The store has closed for a deep clean and contact tracing is underway.

The following previously notified cases have now also been linked to outbreaks:

• A second healthcare worker from Orygen Youth Health facility in Footscray has tested positive. The healthcare worker was a close contact of the original case and had been in quarantine.

• Two additional staff at the Al-Taqwa College in Truganina have tested positive as have two staff members at Camberwell Grammar School.

• Two students from Moreland Primary School in Coburg have tested positive, as has a student from St Bernard’s College in Essendon who attended school while infectious. Cleaning of relevant classrooms and common areas at all schools will be undertaken and contact tracing is underway.

• Positive cases have been identified at five childcare centres. All centres will undergo a deep clean and contact tracing has begun. The centres are: Guardian Childcare and Education in Pascoe Vale; The Grove Children’s Centre in Coburg; Little Steps Family Day Care in Sunshine; Clare Court Children’s Service in Yarraville; and Kids on Queens Parade in Fitzroy North.

Victoria’s health department is still listing ten priority suburbs as the targets for the Andrews government’s testing blitz.

This is despite many of the cases notified in recent days falling outside these target suburbs.

The suburbs are Keilor Downs, Broadmeadows, Maidstone, Albanvale, Sunshine West, Hallam, Brunswick West, Fawkner, Reservoir and Pakenham, with Keilor Downs and Broadmeadows identified as the current focus of testing.

The government’s 800-strong mobile testing team is currently visiting these suburbs in mobile vans, offering free testing – with or without symptoms – to all residents over the course of this week.