Victoria records 20 new local COVID-19 cases, with 15 linked to current outbreaks

Victoria has recorded 20 new locally acquired coronavirus cases, five of which are under investigation.

The health department on Wednesday confirmed 15 of the new cases are linked to known outbreaks, while 14 were in quarantine during their infectious periods.

Some 23,811 tests were processed in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning, while 41,571 Victorians were vaccinated at state-run hubs.

With daily cases still in the double digits, many not isolating during their infectious period and the new mystery cases, it’s likely the lockdown will be extended.

Authorities have refused to rule out an extension, with Health Minister Martin Foley saying decisions were being made on an “hour-by-hour basis”.

About 12,000 people are self-isolating after coming into contact with an infected case, while the exposure site list grew to almost 300 overnight, including a second housing tower in Flemington.

Of greatest concern to authorities is Caroline Springs Square Shopping Centre, where half of Tuesday’s new 20 cases contracted the virus, including two people who may have caught the virus through “fleeting transmission”.

Late on Tuesday, health authorities instructed all staff who worked at the shopping centre between 2 and 5 August to immediately get tested and quarantine for 14 days.

Several bus and train routes near the shopping centre have also been listed as exposure sites.

A doctor who works at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital was also among Tuesday’s cases.

However, the doctor was not infectious while working at the hospital.

They worked at private medical rooms next door to the hospital at 48 Flemington Road on Monday.

Source: sbs.com.au