Victoria records 20 new local Covid-19 cases as exposure sites explode to almost 250 venues

Victoria has recorded 20 new locally acquired Covid-19 infections as a key figure continues to go in the wrong direction.

Victoria has recorded 20 new locally acquired Covid-19 infections on Tuesday but alarmingly 15 of those were out in the community while infectious.

The state’s health department confirmed the new cases about 8.30am, with all linked to existing outbreaks.

But the health department said only five of Tuesday’s new cases were in isolation for their entire infectious period, with 15 positive people out in the community.

It’s not known how that figure will impact the planned end of lockdown on Thursday night but health authorities said the number of people infectious people in the community would be a factor.

MP Martin Pakula had a more positive take, noting the percentages actually showed an increase in those who had been isolating.

He said two days ago, nobody detected in the community had been isolating, while nine per cent were on Monday and 25 per cent of Tuesday’s cases were in isolation for their infectious period.

There are now more than 12,000 primary close contacts across Victoria as the number of public exposure sites exploded again overnight with 57 new sites taking the total to almost 250.

Health Department staff prepare for Covid testing outside at a public housing tower in Flemington. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Many of the venues are in Melbourne’s western suburbs, but several sites have been added in Bayswater North, Heidelberg West and Preston.

The new exposure sites come after 11 coronavirus infections were recorded on Monday, with the health department revealing only one of those cases was in isolation during their infectious period.

Health officials also believe there are undetected positive cases of Covid-19 in the Glenroy and Broadmeadows area after strong, repeat wastewater detections.

Anyone who lives, works or has visited Attwood, Broadmeadows, Coolaroo, Essendon Fields, Gladstone Park, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Greenvale, Jacana, Meadows Heights, Oak Park, Pascoe Vale, Roxburgh Park, Strathmore, Strathmore Heights and Westmeadows between July 28 and August 6 has been urged to monitor for symptoms.

The health department said the source of the latest outbreaks still remained a mystery and was under investigation.

No new cases were recorded in hotel quarantine on Tuesday, with the number of active cases in the state at 111 – up from 103 on Monday.

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