Four positive cases of COVID-19 identified in Melbourne’s north
Victorian health officials have identified four total positive cases of COVID-19 as authorities work to identify any “missing links”.
All four cases are from the one family in the City of Whittlesea in Melbourne’s north.
Two of the cases are men, one woman and a preschool-aged child.
Genomic sequencing is now underway to determine if there are any links between the new cases and hotel quarantine, particularly a Wollert man who tested positive earlier this month.
The man in his 30s returned the positive test when he returned to Melbourne after spending time in South Australian hotel quarantine.
He, like the four cases today also lives in the northern suburbs.
Health Minister Martin Foley said due to the locations of the Wollert man and the four new cases, authorities would not “rule out the prospect that there is a link”.
“Given the proximity of the gentleman from early May who returned from hotel quarantine in Adelaide who lives in that city, we do not rule out the prospect that there is a link,” he said.
“But the dates do not line up immediately, so we cannot rule out if there is a missing link out there.”
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said one of the new cases was potentially highly infectious.
“The CT values were low which means the viral load was high and, as you say, with close contacts becoming positive, he is likely to be quite infectious,” he said.
Professor Sutton warned Victorians should prepare for more positive cases.
“We will always be at risk until we have high vaccination coverage.”
The latest numbers come after two cases were identified this morning.
Mr Foley said health authorities were investigating the cases and testing hours at all major sites have been extended to 8pm this evening.
He added the new cases are not necessarily linked to exposure sites identified last week.
“There is, as yet, no indication that these individuals are linked to any exposure sites from the previous alert case,” he said.
Earlier today two people in Melbourne’s north were identified as “likely positive cases”, sparking fears the virus may have spread following an outbreak scare two weeks ago.
The Department of Health confirmed in a statement this morning a full investigation was underway into the test results.
“We will communicate any specific public health actions the community needs to undertake as soon as possible when investigations and case interviews are complete,” the statement read.
The fresh cases follow a coronavirus scare earlier this month, where a man who was COVID-positive travelled around Melbourne’s north whilst potentially infectious.
He visited Woolworths Epping North on May 8, along with a 7-Eleven on May 6 and 8, and another supermarket in the area.
There were also fears the man may have infected hundreds of commuters after two train trips were listed as exposure sites, one of which coincided with the end of an AFL match.
Anyone onboard the Craigieburn to Southern Cross train service on May 7 departing at 5.28pm was urged to get tested.
Commuters who travelled on the 10.20pm train service from Flinders Street to Craigieburn were also required to take a COVID-19 test.
Curry Vault Indian Restaurant & Bar in Melbourne’s CBD was also listed as an exposure site.
Traces of COVID-19 was picked up in wastewater in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, in the Epping and Wollert areas, last Thursday night.
“These types of traces of coronavirus in wastewater are getting detected regularly – with more people leaving hotel quarantine – cleared of the virus but still shedding, and moving around our community,” Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said in a statement.
“While the detections may be due to someone who has had COVID-19 that is no longer infectious continuing to ‘shed’ the virus, it is also possible that it is due to an active but undiagnosed infectious case.
“This detection is of note because there are public exposure sites in the area relating to the Wollert case, who has been isolating in a health hotel outside the catchment.”
Anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms, including a fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, and loss or change in their sense of smell or test, has been urged to get tested.
There is also a push for people to get vaccinated as soon as possible if they are eligible, with wait times steadily increasing across the city’s north since the new likely positive cases were announced.
People can book an appointment at vaccination centres by calling 1800 675 398.
