Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[Pushka]

Trust me, the testing labs are running 24/7.

It may be that because of the lockdowns last year that there are far more testing sites in Melbs (list here Department of Health and Human Services Victoria | COVID-19 testing sites) and they do not see the need to keep any open 24/7. In fact, I'd honestly be surprised if anyone was turned away from getting swabbed this evening because the testing site closed. A quick scroll seems to indicate that the public hospital sites have extended opening hours ATM.

They are indeed. I was tested at 5pm two days ago. My text of a negative was sent at 1.30am 8 hours later.

 

[Seat0B]

Of course COVIDsafe it was a dud, there didn't seem to be a plan beyond get it launched. But could have implemented a national QR code system linked to the app or even not linked - separately to another app. Maybe if there was nationally linked programs via consistent QR code , border closures could be more finessed.

I was surprised to see on ABC news tonight a suggestion that there is not a standardised Vic govt QR check in system like check in CBR and Service NSW. Surely that is not correct?

 

[JessicaTam]

I was surprised to see on ABC news tonight a suggestion that there is not a standardised Vic govt QR check in system like check in CBR and Service NSW. Surely that is not correct?

That is incorrect. As of today* there is now a requirement to use the Vic QR system.

*Yes, today.

 

[dajop]

I was surprised to see on ABC news tonight a suggestion that there is not a standardised Vic govt QR check in system like check in CBR and Service NSW. Surely that is not correct?

It is not correct, but only as of today. Prior to today businesses were not required to use the Services Vic QR code (could use private systems) but from today they must. The system existed but wasn’t compulsory to use.

 

[Seat0B]

That is incorrect. As of today* there is now a requirement to use the Vic QR system.

*Yes, today.

So it was actually quite close to correct, just out by 24 hrs or less. Wow! I was very surprised to hear that and also your info that a state govt mandated system only just started today.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

It is not correct, but only as of today. Prior to today businesses were not required to use the Services Vic QR code (could use private systems) but from today they must. The system existed but wasn’t compulsory to use.

Though more and places that I had been to were using it.


Also the surname field has been added.


However at present in Vic it is really academic as the venues most concerned about would not have been enforcing their all patrons to use whatever system they had, and that is the real problem. So the state system would not have made a difference.

Contact tracing team have been excellent to date with 3 rings of contacts in the main all approached within 24 hours to place people in quarantine/isolation and only Case 5 not linked..

 

[henrus]

That is incorrect. As of today* there is now a requirement to use the Vic QR system.

Haven't really been following the news that closely but was the requirement to switch to the Vic Gov system today always planned or something that's only come about due to the recent events?

I know that it was from 30 April you had to use the gov system or use a third-party system that directly fed the data to the vic gov system but it seems like a sudden swtich?

 

[JessicaTam]

Haven't really been following the news that closely but was the requirement to switch to the Vic Gov system today always planned or something that's only come about due to the recent events?

I know that it was from 30 April you had to use the gov system or use a third-party system that directly fed the data to the vic gov system but it seems like a sudden swtich?

It was mandated a few weeks ago with today being the start date.

 

[burmans]

That is incorrect. As of today* there is now a requirement to use the Vic QR system.

*Yes, today.

That’s actually what the ABC report said!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I draw your attention to the sentence which appears towards the bottom and which is:

One of yesterday’s positive cases worked during their infectious period (without symptoms) for a large food distribution centre and visited multiple food stores and groceries across metropolitan Melbourne on 18 and 19 May, and on other days.​

Indiagate Spice & Nuts features and was visited by Wollert Man on 8th May. So there is potential for a link.


Extract from the Daily Vic Gov Media Release
28 May 2021

Victoria was notified of six new cases of coronavirus yesterday.

Four are locally acquired cases linked to the current outbreak.

This brings the total number of locally acquired cases in the current outbreak to 30.

There were two reported cases in returned international travellers in hotel quarantine. They are a man aged in his 50s and a man aged in his 30s. Both arrived in Melbourne on separate flights.

There is one COVID-19 case in hospital in Victoria. This case was in ICU but has now moved back to the ward.

The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,580.

Update: Outbreaks​

There are four new cases linked to the City of Whittlesea and Port Melbourne Workplace outbreaks.
Extensive contact tracing continues for all the individuals who have tested positive to COVID-19 and new public exposures sites are being identified.

As of this morning, the Department had identified more than 15,000 people who are either required to quarantine for 14 days, or test and isolate until negative.

A total of 1452 of these people are primary close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases from the current outbreak.

There are now more than 150 public exposure sites in Victoria, see Case locations and exposure sites on the Coronavirus website.

This list does not include small, private or closed exposure sites such as Uber rides or medical appointments.

New exposure sites are being added to the website as interviews are conducted with positive cases.

It is important that Victorians review this webpage regularly and if they have been at an exposure site on the listed dates and times, they must isolate, get tested and contact the Department of Health.

Close contacts are also contacted by public health officials as they are identified and provided with instructions to isolate and get tested.

Update: Sites of concern​

One of yesterday’s positive cases worked during their infectious period (without symptoms) for a large food distribution centre and visited multiple food stores and groceries across metropolitan Melbourne on 18 and 19 May, and on other days.

Significant contact tracing work is underway to identify all close contacts of this positive case.

The Department is working closely with the employee’s company in its contract tracing efforts.

Details of site exposures have been published urgently.

The full investigation on specific times is still underway so time details of these sites may be refined – and we thank the affected public for their understanding.

The Department wishes to highlight the below newly-listed exposure sites it considers particularly high-risk. It includes the sites visited by the above case.

Department of Health and Human Services Victoria | Coronavirus update for Victoria - 28 May 2021

Victoria was notified of six new cases of coronavirus yesterday.

www.dhhs.vic.gov.au

 

[jakeseven7]

Crazy that Adelaide has 24 hours testing but Melbourne doesn't.

Incorrect. And we run some of them.

 

[RooFlyer]

While here in FNQ, so far 6 pax have boarded QF flight without wearing a mask, was asked to put a mask on by the FA as they passed her and simply ignored it.

 

[Must...Fly!]

While here in FNQ, so far 6 pax have boarded QF flight without wearing a mask, was asked to put a mask on by the FA as they passed her and simply ignored it.

No mask no fly. AFP need to enforce, IMO

It's the rule, so just abide by it even if you think masks are useless....not going to kill you is it.....

 

[jakeseven7]

No mask no fly. AFP need to enforce, IMO

It's the rule, so just abide by it even if you think masks are useless....not going to kill you is it.....

In the US they would be kicked off the flight

 

[Lynda2475]

In the US they would be kicked off the flight

As they should be here.

Actually they shouldnt have even made it as far as boarding, since you are required to wear a mask the moment you enter the terminal. Security should be denying entry to terminal to anyone without a mask (happens at BNK).

 

[bcworld]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1398412693757956097

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Only 5 cases and a massive 56,624 tests reported.

State delivered vaccinations high again.

However there is a systems glitch at some hubs this morning delaying openings.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The Indian repatriation flight into Melbourne 2 days ago would appear to not to have generated a high number of hq cases.

 

[jakeseven7]

Wow another testing record and another vaccination record too.

 

[Pushka]

Yesterday at the SA Media conference mainly relating to the two 15 year olds who hitchhiked from Victoria to see a friend in country SA. Hopped on a school bus in the local high uniform provided by friend but were detected by police who held the bus at the school ground keeping those onboard for up to 3 hours until the other kids could be collected by parents.

Chief Health Officer : our concern right now is for the two girls welfare and mental health who are just doing what kids do at that age.

Police Commissioner: the two girls have been arrested and will be charged with numerous offences and will be held under police guard until they can be removed to Victoria at their parents expense.

Edit: it was their actions that sparked the hard border closure with all of Victoria later last night. The girls were also filming themselves on tik tok dancing and saying they were being held by police while they were being held apart from the school bus in a nearby park. They have since tested negative so the kids on the bus will be fine.

Police Commissioner wanted all those who'd given the girls a lift to come forward to the Police for Covid testing to ensure they were safe. A rather clever reporter asked - if the girls tested negative and the other kids have been declared safe then why do the earlier truck drivers need to be concerned about their health? Hmmm. Police Commissioner thought that health would be the hook to get the drivers to come forward and history is such that the Police would then charge them with breaching restrictions like they did once before.