Three new COVID-19 cases have been detected outside of hotel quarantine in Victoria, bringing the state’s two-month streak of no community transmission streak to an end.
The three cases two women in their 40s and one woman in her 70s across the suburbs of Mentone, Hallam and Mitcham. The ABC and the Herald Sun report that all three “are believed to be linked to Sydney’s outbreak”.
“We have three cases that are self-isolating at home and are being supported and monitored by the Department of Health and Human Services,” Victoria’s Commander of COVID-19 response Jeroen Weimar said.
“We have been in this position before and we are deploying our full outbreak approach around these cases. Extensive contact tracing is underway and as a result there are currently more than 40 primary close contacts that are being supported to isolate immediately.”
#UPDATE: Three new cases of Covid have been detected in Victoria in Mitcham, Hallam and Mentone. pic.twitter.com/ycpB00DmIX
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) December 30, 2020
Close contacts of the three people have been moved into isolation and contact tracing is underway.
The news comes as Victoria puts stricter measures in place for travellers from greater Sydney, with a full hard border in place after December 31.
Three exposure sites have been listed, meaning anyone who visited at the following times needs to get tested and self-isolate:
- 27/12/20 – Mentone/Parkdale Beach – 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- 28/12/20 – Century City Walk and Mocha Jo’s, Glen Waverley – 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- 28/12/20 – Katialo restaurant, Eaton Mall, Oakleigh – 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Update: three positive cases in Mitcham, Hallam and Mentone. Each case are self-isolating at home and are being supported and monitored. Extensive contact tracing is underway. pic.twitter.com/dgmDQtgTZl
— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) December 30, 2020
“We are so thankful that these people did the right thing and got tested. We always knew this virus had us in a precarious position and we need to make sure we do everything we can to stamp out any further transmissions,” Weimar added.
“Now more than ever people should not let down their guard. Maintain physical distancing, practice good hand hygiene. Stay at home if you’re unwell and most of all get tested if you have any symptoms at all.”
