Victoria lockdown likely to be extended as state records six new local cases; positive case visited NSW

Victoria’s lockdown is expected to continue beyond its original Thursday deadline, government sources have indicated, as authorities reveal a positive Melbourne case travelled to NSW while potentially infectious.

Senior government ministers met last night to receive a high-level briefing from health authorities about extending the stay-at-home orders in an attempt to combat an outbreak in which one in 10 positive cases have caught the virus from a stranger.

Meanwhile, NSW Health issued a public health alert on Tuesday evening, saying it had been advised by Victoria’s Department of Health that a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 was in Jervis Bay, Goulburn, Hyams Beach and Vincentia while potentially infectious on May 23 and May 24.

The person drove back to Melbourne on May 24, reported the onset of symptoms on May 25 and tested positive for COVID-19 on May 31.

The alert was issued as six more sites were added to Victoria’s official exposure site list, taking the total to 351, including three BP truck stops along the Hume Freeway at Glenrowan, Euroa and Wallan on May 24.

Earlier a source close to the government, speaking on the condition of anonymity because a final decision had not yet been made, said Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton’s team was leaning strongly toward recommending a lockdown extension. A final call will be made today.

Source: The Age