Covid 19 coronavirus: Victoria numbers rise, new Sydney cluster spreads

Australia’s coronavirus record is crumbling with 16 new cases today, 10 in New South Wales and 6 in Victoria.

Ten new virus cases have been revealed in New South Wales, five of which are linked to the northern beach group.

Three are associated with the growing outbreak in Croydon after several members of the same family tested positive yesterday, raising fears the virus is spreading across Greater Sydney.

“One is a link to the group of transport workers that we have talked about earlier and the other is under investigation,” said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“There is a possibility that it is an old case or a false positive, but serological is looking at that.”

Meanwhile, Victoria has registered six new cases, and the state returned to harsh restrictions within hours in a bid to stop the spread.

Authorities in both states have begged the public to avoid New Year’s Eve celebrations tonight amid fears that they could lead to “superpreaders” events, urging the public to take the current threat seriously and follow health advice. public.

In response to the outbreak, residents of Sydney and those on the central coast, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong can only receive five visitors for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Outdoor meetings will be limited to 30 people.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard criticized comments made by Western Australian Medical Association President Dr Andrew Miller, who said New South Wales was no longer the gold standard and a lockdown “would not go too far. far”.

“If the president of (WA) AMA has a particular point of view, I will leave it to him in WA. He must be an instant expert on what is happening here in NSW,” he said.

“I am happy to continue working with our health authorities who have done a fantastic job.”

Yesterday there were 18 cases, nine of which are related to the outbreak on the northern beaches.

The Croydon Cluster

NSW Health is still unclear on the origins of the Croydon group, however Dr. Kerry Chant said she expects a result later this afternoon.

Sharing more details about the Croydon group, Dr. Chant said that members of the three households linked to the original group have attended a “series of functions” that occurred between Christmas and Boxing Day.

The cases were also in the community, although they were unknowingly infectious, although it is still “too early” to know if there has been transmission as a result of this.

“That means, and I’m really sorry, but your New Year’s Eve plans will have to change,” he said.

Dr. Chant continued to emphasize the importance of testing and implored residents of New South Wales not to attend meetings of any kind if they have symptoms.

“Please can I make a request that you not attend any family events, family gatherings, New Years Eve gatherings, leave the house if you have symptoms,” he said.

“I think we all want to see a much brighter 2021 and we have some hope on the horizon in terms of vaccines.

“We all have a role to play. So thank you for taking that advice, please.”

Victoria cases increase

Three additional cases of Covid-19 have been discovered in the Victoria community, bringing the total number to six, Acting Premier Jacinta Allen said today.

She said the three additional cases were discovered through contact tracing after three positive cases were discovered yesterday in Victoria.

The first three cases were linked by a Thai restaurant in Black Rock that was also linked to a traveler who returned to New South Wales, Health Minister Martin Foley said.

“In less than 24 hours, the cross between Mitcham and Hallam and the people of Mentone has been a facility in Black Rock, and a direct link to a traveler who returned to New South Wales,” he said.

“Now that we have ties to the NSW outbreak here in Victoria, we are responding very, very quickly to overcome that.”

Today’s three additional cases were linked to that group and were discovered through contact tracing, he said.

Anyone who has visited Smile Buffalo Thai Restaurant on December 21 is urged to get tested immediately.

The first three cases come from the Melbourne suburbs of Mitcham, Hallam and Mentone, all of which visited the same location in Black Rock, it has been revealed.

Victoria’s commander of the Covid-19 response, Jeroen Weimar, said the state was “rolling out our full outbreak approach.”

“We have been in this position before,” he said.

“Extensive contact tracing is underway and as a result there are currently more than 40 primary close contacts being admitted for immediate isolation.”

He said the three positive cases are self-isolated at home.

They are two 40-year-old women and a 70-year-old woman.

Five locations have been designated high-risk, after they were visited by Covid-positive people while potentially infectious:

• Black Rock: Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant on December 21

• Doveton: Holy Family Parish Doveton Catholic Church on December 26 between 4 pm and 6 pm

• Fountain Gate Mall: Kmart, Big W, Target, Millers, King of Gifts, Lacoste on December 26 between 9 a.m. M. And 11 a. M.

• Mentone: Mentone / Parkdale Beach on December 27 between 10 a.m. M. And 4:30 p.m. M.

• Glen Waverley: Century City Walk and Mocha Jo’s on December 28 from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM

• Oakleigh: Katialo restaurant, Eaton Mall on December 28 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Victoria also introduced new border restrictions yesterday.

Anyone who has been to or visited the Blue Mountains or Wollongong regions since December 27 has until 11:59 a.m. on New Years Eve to get to Victoria.

No one who has visited these areas will be able to enter Victoria after December 31st.

Anyone who intends to return to Victoria from these areas before midnight must apply for a new travel permit through Service Victoria, must be tested within 24 hours of returning to Victoria, and must self-quarantine at home for 14 days since he last left the region. .

It follows a woman who tested positive last week after returning from a trip to the North Beaches, Sydney’s Covid-19 epicenter.

Other positive cases of Covid-19 in Victoria recorded in the last two months were from travelers who returned from hotel quarantine.

Restrictions in Victoria

The masks will be mandatory inside Victoria starting at 5 pm today outside of her own private residence, Acting Premier Jacinta Allan announced.

“If you plan to leave your home at this time, we ask people to bring their masks with them, now we ask them to wear a mask if they are indoors anywhere other than their private home,” he said.

The limit of people gathered in private homes will also be reduced from 30 to 15.

The indoor meeting limit will also apply starting at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Allan said.

“If you are planning a party tonight, you will have to reduce your number from 30 to 15,” he said.

“We apologize to the people who have put plans in place, who were looking forward to having events at their home or at other people’s homes, but this is a necessary step.

“Unfortunately, we know that with this virus, it is a difficult and rampant virus, which does not end at midnight tonight.”

No changes have been announced to outdoor gatherings, hospitality venues and shops.

Melbourne residents were previously advised not to travel to the city for New Year’s Eve unless they have a reservation.