Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[Lynda2475]

 

[Must...Fly!]

75% spoken to (around 4,500 I guess) in less than 24 hours? That's impressive.

Meanwhile in Victoria...

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

So 11 of the 12 airport cafe workers have now come back negative.

This super infectious mutant seems to have a bit more to do yet to live up to its name....

The magic of a circuit breaker lockdown is still working...

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

75% spoken to (around 4,500 I guess) in less than 24 hours? That's impressive.

Meanwhile in Victoria...

I think they are separate statements

7000 was any terminal over 3 day period - texted
3/4 of those at T4 (only on 9/2 perhaps) - called

 

[lovetravellingoz]

My understanding is the postive family of 3 were in two different Holiday Inns - a regualr HQ then transferred to a Medi-Hotel, before ending up in hopsital. Based on interview this morning he used nebulizer in both hotels and I thought there were staff infections in both?

The other that I know was a HQ (The first. So yes 1 case there and the others at Holiday Inn), and not a medical hotel.

I am busy working so I may have missed the report.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

My understanding is the postive family of 3 were in two different Holiday Inns - a regualr HQ then transferred to a Medi-Hotel, before ending up in hopsital. Based on interview this morning he used nebulizer in both hotels and I thought there were staff infections in both?

First I've heard that a hotel designated for positives (possibly named "hot hotel" or "medi-hotel") has made such an error. If true, this is what can happen unfortunately, when apparently non-health people are running the quarantine show during a public health emergency. As I said it looks like Vic DH or CQV seems to have blood on their hands - just whether it was a failure to advise (Vic DH) or a failure to act/implement (CQV). The Victoria public service must be in a mad panic to blame each other.

 

[Lynda2475]

Daniel Andrews deflected questions from reporterd asking about statement given by the guy with nebulizer in Age/SMH this morning. Maybe thats why Emma Cassar, the head of COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria wasnt there - trying to get story stright before giving a statement this arvo.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

So despite the concern, are then any cases yet that are not within the second ring? Indeed are there any not within the first ring?

And outside of the HQ workers, has anyone tested positive that has not had extended contact with a known case?

Holiday Inn cluster grows to 14, Andrews says​

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says there are now 14 cases linked to the Holiday Inn cluster.

The new case is a social primary close contact, a friend of one of the Holiday Inn workers.

"Overnight and within eight hours of that test coming to us, all 38 household primary social close contacts of that person have been contacted, have been locked down, and we have already begun the process of testing each of those 38 people. That will be a big focus of our efforts today and we hope to be able to report negative results, and all results, I should say, as soon as they come to us, most likely a feature of tomorrow's briefing."

 

[lovetravellingoz]

First I've heard that a hotel designated for positives (possibly named "hot hotel" or "medi-hotel") has made such an error. If true, this is what can happen unfortunately, when apparently non-health people are running the quarantine show during a public health emergency. As I said it looks like Vic DH or CQV seems to have blood on their hands - just whether it was a failure to advise (Vic DH) or a failure to act/implement (CQV). The Victoria public service must be in a mad panic to blame each other.

The medical hotels in Vic are run by health people and not non-health people. Apart from dealing with known positive cases they also provide required medical care unless it is deemed more appropriate to move then to a hospital.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

So despite the concern, are then any cases yet that are not within the second ring? Indeed are there any not within the first ring?

And outside of the HQ workers, has anyone tested positive that has not had extended contact with a known case?

Holiday Inn cluster grows to 14, Andrews says​

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says there are now 14 cases linked to the Holiday Inn cluster.

The new case is a social primary close contact, a friend of one of the Holiday Inn workers.

"Overnight and within eight hours of that test coming to us, all 38 household primary social close contacts of that person have been contacted, have been locked down, and we have already begun the process of testing each of those 38 people. That will be a big focus of our efforts today and we hope to be able to report negative results, and all results, I should say, as soon as they come to us, most likely a feature of tomorrow's briefing."

Not sure what to believe with the vague wording.....38 household primary social close contacts - that's a lot. Not sure who would have been classed as a close contact, household contact, or casual contact - seemingly to me so much smoke and mirrors

Reminds me of a time people saying that the new positive was already isolating (but no one specifies how long they were isolating beforehand (1 hour or a few days???))

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

The medical hotels in Vic are run by health people and not non-health people. Apart from dealing with known positive cases they also provide required medical care unless it is deemed more appropriate to move then to a hospital.

So are you saying CQV does not have any responsibility for hotels designated for positives???

Edit to add

A Stronger Quarantine Program To Protect What We’ve Built

The Victorian Government has unveiled a new, stronger quarantine program and a dedicated agency to oversee it enabling Victorians and visitors to safely start returning from overseas. As part of the Government’s response to the interim report of the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry, Premier Daniel...

www.premier.vic.gov.au

30 November 2020
The Victorian Government has unveiled a new, stronger quarantine program and a dedicated agency to oversee it enabling Victorians and visitors to safely start returning from overseas.
As part of the Government’s response to the interim report of the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry, Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville today launched the new body and program– which has been overhauled following a root-and-branch review of the original program.
Significant changes have been made to strengthen leadership, oversight and training, embed public health and enforcement expertise, and tighten obligations for both staff and residents – to keep them and the community safe.
A dedicated agency, COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV), has been established to oversee all elements of the program – including the Frontline Worker Accommodation program (formerly known as Hotels for Heroes), mandatory quarantine for people entering Australia including Health Hotels for positive and suspected cases or close contacts, and Emergency Accommodation for local residents who need a safe place to quarantine.
It will be led by Corrections Commissioner Emma Cassar, who has been appointed as interim Commissioner of CQV and will report directly to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
All staff working in the program are employed or directly contracted by CQV with the exception of cleaning staff who are on secure, fixed term contracts with Alfred Health. All government staff working in the COVID-19 Accommodation program are under the command of the CQV Commissioner and all contracts for the program will be held by CQV.
Health, enforcement and operational expertise will be embedded in the executive structure of CQV, responding to a key recommendation from the interim report.
Victoria Police will boost its presence in the program, and will continue carrying out supervision, enforcement and compliance duties at all locations. They will be supported by Australian Defence Force personnel and highly trained Resident Support Officers.
Additional infection controls have been introduced, including the daily testing of staff and voluntary regular testing of their family and household members, a centralised contact tracing team, proactive contact mapping for all staff, a ban on secondary face-to-face employment for all staff and strengthened PPE protocols.
Frontline staff will work in ‘bubbles’ to ensure they only have contact with a limited number of other staff during their shift, allowing for the bubble to be taken offline with minimal impact if one staff member becomes unwell.
The Frontline Worker Accommodation program (formerly known as Hotels for Heroes) will be expanded to include those working in the COVID-19 Accommodation program. This will ensure staff, including those who have household members who work in the aged care sector, are able to access alternative accommodation if required.
Given the high-risk nature of the aged care sector, workers will be required and supported to isolate from anyone in their household who works in the aged care sector. This includes access to dedicated Frontline Worker Accommodation facilities.
Regular, independent audits will be carried out at all hotels, as recommended by the Board of Inquiry, to identify any issues or improvements and monitor compliance with best-practice infection prevention and control measures.
Unless there are medical, mental health or compassionate reasons, residents will no longer be able to leave their rooms while isolating or quarantining, including for fresh air or exercise breaks. Food and care packages from family and friends will no longer be permitted, with deliveries only accepted from accredited food services.
These measures will help restrict movement to and from quarantine accommodation and further reduce the risk of transmission between those quarantining and staff, helping to keep the Victorian community safe.
These will be tough changes for residents, which is why we’ve created a timetable of structured activities throughout their stay and increased access to specialised remote children and family friendly activities, exercise programs and mental health and wellbeing programs.
Three Deputy State Controllers with relevant experience will support the Commissioner – including new Deputy Chief Health Officer Professor Ben Cowie who has been appointed to lead health management for the program focusing on infection prevention and control, testing and contact tracing.
Deputy Commissioner Ross Guenther from Victoria Police will provide enforcement expertise, and also oversee the force’s expanded role in the program.
The third Deputy State Controller will be appointed shortly and will use their extensive operational and logistical expertise to manage critical staffing and corporate aspects of the program.
There will also be increased oversight on the ground with general managers and site managers introduced at each location, setting clear reporting lines for staff and for any resident complaints or issues.
Healthcare Australia will provide primary health services and wellbeing support across quarantine hotels, where returned travellers without symptoms are accommodated.
Alfred Health will play an expanded role in the management of health hotels, where people who have or are suspected to have coronavirus, and residents with complex care needs, are accommodated.
Stricter standards have also been introduced for cleaning and waste disposal, with cleaners and hotel staff receiving additional training.
Changes to the mandatory quarantine program have been implemented in recent months and build on the significant reset made to the program in July. New practices and standards have been comprehensively tested, and staff are well trained ahead of international flights resuming on 7 December with a cap of 160 passengers arriving each day.
The interim report of the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry made 69 recommendations about a reset of the mandatory quarantine program. The Government has accepted or accepted in principle 52 recommendations, with a further 17 recommendations under review. Thirteen of these recommendations relate to the establishment of a model for home-based quarantine, which would require agreement from National Cabinet.
More details about the Government’s response to the interim report can be found at vic.gov.au/hotelquarantineresponse
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We know there are thousands of Victorians overseas waiting to get home, but it was vital that we take the time to get the reset of this program right – CQV will deliver the strongest and safest quarantine program in the country.”
“This strengthened program and dedicated agency will help us protect everything we have built together.”
Quotes attributable to Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville
“Every element of the program has been strengthened, with increased oversight, leadership and infection prevention and control measures to protect the Victorian community.”
“These changes are significant and tough – but they’re critical to reducing exposure risks for staff and residents.”
201130 - A Stronger Quarantine Program To Protect What We’ve Built.pdf
PDF 212.47 KB

 

[jakeseven7]

8500 tests processed in VIC this AM - all negative.

7000 results pending.

Huge numbers.

 

[Lynda2475]

So despite the concern, are then any cases yet that are not within the second ring? Indeed are there any not within the first ring?

Who is concerned? Im mean other than the Vic givenrment?

If this event had happened in NSW, except for close contacts being put into self iso for 14 days, and casual contacts neededing to test then isolate until a negative result is received, the rest fo the state would be free ot go about their business.

Ive said it before Victoria is overly sensitive, and still doesnt trust its systems to deal with things. And that sensitivity seems to get getting worse.

Vic didnt lock down the whole state when BlackRock happened, but now that there are no mystery cases they sudfdently feel the need ot go harder - its nonsensical.

Andrews also admitted only reason Regional Vic is in lockdown is to stop Melbournians travelling there to avoid restrictions. Clearly doesnt want to invest $ in enforcing a ring of steel or whatever he called it this time. Instead he makes decision that impact people 100kms from any positive case, and forces more people and businesses to be imacted than warranted.

Just because some here make observations about how things can be improved in HQ and Health/Hot hotels doesnt mean we are overly concerned. Overall (except Vic second wave), the HQ slip ups have been largely contained without mass diruption, and in NSW at least without putting millions into lockdown.

NSW border to Vic remains open, per my repost of NSW health twitter, peopel having traveleld from Vic needing to follow the Vic restrictions, but those in border communities who havent been to Greater melbourne have no restrictions on NSW side of the border at all.

 

[Pushka]

Daniel Andrews deflected questions from reporterd asking about statement given by the guy with nebulizer in Age/SMH this morning. Maybe thats why Emma Cassar, the head of COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria wasnt there - trying to get story stright before giving a statement this arvo.

He did rather hand her the poison chalice this morning and reinforcing that it is her advice and management on which decisions are made. Given the gravity of the situation I'd expected she would be at the media conference.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

He did rather hand her the poison chalice this morning and reinforcing that it is her advice and management on which decisions are made. Given the gravity of the situation I'd expected she would be at the media conference.

Hmmm, nice to be responsible for nothing.

Someone's head will roll soon enough, but the blood-letting actually doesn't solve the problem.

Not sure whether its a cultural issue or what. How often can things go wrong???

Perhaps its a bit of what Lynda2475 is saying - oversensitivity begets more mistakes.

 

[Must...Fly!]

He did rather hand her the poison chalice this morning and reinforcing that it is her advice and management on which decisions are made. Given the gravity of the situation I'd expected she would be at the media conference.

Premier takes heat for virus hotel debacle - Australian Associated Press

Government agencies and private entities are pointing fingers over who's to blame for the lax protocols at quarantine hotels that resulted in virus outbreaks.

www.aap.com.au

That's from July. Where does it end, I wonder.

 

[Lynda2475]

SMH Covid Blog reports:

Today’s positive COVID-19 case dined with relatives at Coburg function venue​

Testing commander Jeroen Weimar confirmed the man, aged in his 30s from the Point Cook area, had attended a private dining venue in Coburg with extended family members on the evening of Saturday, February 6.

Victoria’s health department listed a function venue at 426 Sydney Road in Coburg as a high exposure site last night.

“So we’ve identified all the people who were at the venue, including the staff, including the other wider family members who were there, all of them have been contacted,” Mr Weimar said.

“They’re all being interviewed today, and they’re all being tested today.“

 

[dajop]

Vic didnt lock down the whole state when BlackRock happened, but now that there are no mystery cases they sudfdently feel the need ot go harder - its nonsensical.

IMHO this time it is a deeply ingrained paranoia about demographics (even though the spin says it’s about the UK strain).

Black Rock happened in a restaurant in a relatively affluent area. Let the contact tracers deal with it.

This time it’s amongst people working multiple jobs (or the same job at multiple locations), and suburbs like Broadmeadows, Hoppers Crossing, Springvale, Maidstone, Sunshine, Taylor’s Lakes, Point Cook are coming up. Any one familiar with the second wave reading this list of suburbs and it could send a chill down their spine. No one from the government will dare admit it IMHO this list of suburbs provides a compelling explanation for why they are going so hard.

 

[kyle]

The Age mentioned it as Europe last night in the revelation.

‘I feel like a criminal’: Traveller says he told authorities about nebuliser

A returned traveller blamed for spreading coronavirus through the Holiday Inn says he was repeatedly given permission to use the medical device.

www.theage.com.au

I was referring to the earlier case:

It comes as authorities are already urgently investigating the likely transmission of the UK coronavirus variant between other residents in the Park Royal in Melbourne.
Separate residents on the same floor of the quarantine hotel have returned positive results for the UK variant. The potential transmission period is between January 20 to January 28 and involves a family of five and a woman on the same floor within the quarantine hotel.
During that time, a family of five including a man in his 40s, a woman in her 40s and three children aged one, four and seven, arrived in Melbourne from Nigeria on January 20 and were placed on the same floor as the woman.

 

[ethernet]

HappyFlyerFamily hit the nail on the head, regurgitating the verbal diarrhea from the premiers dept about tightening things, as opposed to hard on the ground, measurable improvements. I dare say performance bonuses are being measured on words, not real world outcomes. Not sure if they have learnt to take proper minutes that state who made particular decisions and document lines of responsibility without fuzzy cards like 'it was the contractors'. The lockdown, triggered a new risk matrix for HQ, or should have. So the first Pfizer batch should be at least 50% prioritized for Victoria for the airside/border workers. At this stage I doubt they have the competence to know HOW MANY people need the jab including all contractors (the little people). I foresee another calamity event, caused by 'Your name is not on the list' rather than an automatic scoring rank, based on role. However NZ seems switched on.