Victoria has recorded 11 new Covid-19 cases as it approaches decision day for whether Melbourne’s strict lockdown will be lifted as planned on Thursday.
The return to double digit infections was the highest number for 11 days, and comes as six train services were added to the state’s growing exposure list – bringing the total to an overwhelming 354 venues.
The new locally acquired cases were announced on Monday and include two that were reported yesterday and linked to the Arcare Maidstone aged care facility, including a 70-year-old resident.
Six train services running along the Upfield Line have also been listed as Tier Two exposure sites, joining busy supermarkets and shopping centres on the swelling list.
Health authorities made the announcement on Sunday after discovering a confirmed case had travelled on the public transport system.
A doughnut store, construction site, restaurant and BP have also been added to the growing list.
The Covid-19 positive commuter had travelled from Merlynston Station to Flinders Street Station at 6.03am to 6.34am on June 2, 3, and 4
That’s Alotta Donuts at 2/882 Cooper Street in Somerton, north of Melbourne, has been added to the list
The Covid-19 positive commuter had travelled from Merlynston Station to Flinders Street Station from 6.03am to 6.34am on June 2, 3, and 4.
They then later travelled from Melbourne Central Station to Merlynston from 3.55pm to 4.19pm on the same days.
Anyone who caught the train around the same time has been urged to get tested for Covid-19 and isolate until they receive a negative result.
The train services are the latest addition to Victoria’s exposure list that now sits at 354.
That’s Alotta Donuts at 2/882 Cooper Street in Somerton, north of Melbourne, has been added to the list.
A confirmed case visited the venue between 4.10pm and 5.20pm on May 30.
Probuild Construction Site at 100 Queen Street, in Melbourne, has also been flagged as a tier 1 exposure site after a worker tested positive to Covid-19.
Anyone who was at the venue from 7am to 4pm on May 30 and 31, June 1, 2 and 3 has been told to get tested.
The same advice applies to anyone who visited the site between 7am and 12.30pm on June 4.
Chick Chick/ Sir Duke at 97-99 Puckle Street at Moonee Ponds was also placed on the list with a confirmed case visiting from 3.10pm to 3.40pm on May 30
Chick Chick (Fried Chicken)/ Sir Duke at 97-99 Puckle Street at Moonee Ponds was also placed on the list with a confirmed case visiting from 3.10pm to 3.40pm on May 30.
BP/David Jones Food Merrifield at 470 Donnybrook Road at Mickleham was also added to the list.
Anyone who visited the venue between 5.40pm and 6.10pm on May 30 has been advised to get tested.
The new venues were added as the state recorded just four new local cases on Sunday, including two linked to the Arcare Maidstone aged care facility in the city’s northwest.
One is a 79-year-old resident who has had both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. They live close to two other residents, aged 99 and 89, who have previously tested positive.
Despite being asymptomatic, the resident has been taken to hospital.
The other case is a registered nurse who worked at the nursing home on Saturday, is also asymptomatic and has received a first COVID-19 shot.
Health officials have warned there is no ‘magic number’ of people getting vaccinated before future coronavirus lockdowns can be avoided (pictured, Melburnians queuing to get the Covid jab on Saturday)
Victorians have been warned there is no ‘magic number’ of people getting vaccinated that would guarantee the government stops using lockdowns to control future outbreaks of coronavirus.
The current lockdown – Victoria’s fourth in 14 months – was scheduled to end on Thursday but the continued emergence of new cases in the current small outbreak raised the prospect it will be extended.
Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said it was difficult to say what proportion would need to be vaccinated to avoid future lockdowns.
‘There isn’t one single magic number,’ Professor Cheng said.
‘Once you get up to much higher coverage rates, then it makes a whole lot of things easier.
‘We may not need the intensity of restrictions. We may be able to only do contact tracing without having to do other things quite to the same level, and that is the benefit of vaccination.’
Victoria had administered 1.4 million doses of vaccine in a state with a population of 6.5 million.
Prof Cheng expects Melbourne will be able to ease restrictions on Friday.
‘We don’t want to be in this any longer than we need to. So if we can, we will lift it early,’ he said.