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Three new locally acquired coronavirus cases have been discovered in Victoria breaking the state’s two-month cleansing streak
Three people in the Melbourne suburbs, Mitcham, Hallam and Mentone, were confirmed with COVID-19 on Wednesday evening
The cases – viewed by Victorian authorities as linked to COVID-19 cases in NSW – have left more than 40 people in self-isolation
Victoria’s COVID-19 Response Commander Jeroen Weimar said the active cases are worrying but everything is being done to ensure that all relevant exposure sites and close contacts are identified
“We have three cases that are self-isolating at home and are supported and monitored by the Ministry of Health and Human Services,” Weimar said in a statement
The cases occur in two women in their forties and one woman in their seventies
“We have been in this position before and are using our full breakout approach to these cases. A full contact follow-up is ongoing As a result, more than 40 primary close contacts are currently supported to ensure immediate isolation ”
Mr Weimar said contract tracking would continue all night in hopes of confirming the source of the infections
He said more cases were expected, with a full list of exposure sites to be found here
It was initially believed that the confirmed cases had not recently traveled to NSW, where 18 new cases of community transmission were recorded on Wednesday
Earlier Wednesday, the Victorian government said it was “far from” opening its border with NSW
Half of the new falls belong to the northern beaches cluster of Sydney, while a second cluster has emerged to the west of the city, along with falls in Wollongong, south of Sydney
Victoria Police Secretary Lisa Neville said decisions about the border are being made on a daily basis but no one is willing to consider changes based on health advice
Ms. Neville wouldn’t rule out expanding the red zone, with concerns about cases outside of the northern beaches
“I know we were concerned about the spread of Wollongong and the case there, and I think it was done through the churches, so we will continue to monitor this and expand the red zone if necessary,” she said
Victoria marked 61 days with no local transmission of coronavirus and only one case of a returned traveler in their twenties in hotel quarantine on Wednesday morning
There have only been eight active cases, all in hotel quarantine or self-isolation, including seven international travelers and a teenage girl at home after contracting the virus in NSW
Ms. Neville recognized the impact of border restrictions on local communities but said people were largely supportive
“We all want to say goodbye to this year, we all hope 2021 is a better year that we have ahead of us, but we don’t have a vaccine,” she said
“It’s been a very tough year and we’ve done something incredible as Victorians – let’s not risk it celebrating the end of 2020”
Despite Victoria’s two-month expansion with no local broadcast and an overwhelming desire to see 2020, the New Year celebrations will be subdued on Thursday evening
Fireworks from Melbourne, which would attract nearly half a million revelers any other year, were potted in favor of celebratory tones than the occasion deserves
Mayor Sally Capp said it was natural for people to want to celebrate at the end of a difficult year
We know this has been a very difficult year for many people, and we thank all of the Victorians for the sacrifices they have made in order to be in the position we are in today – over 60 days without transmission by the community (1/3) ImageTwittercom / tWXi1i3Ekr
However, the cancellation of the fireworks meant a celebration of the city’s hospitality industry could be held instead, inspired by European squares and squares
Nearly a dozen outdoor restaurants have been set up across the city, including Hardware Lane, Chinatown, Spring Street, and Little Bourke Street
“We made a decision to keep our city open to support the companies that really add so much to Melbourne’s character and personality, and we realized that one of the best things about all of these business owners and their teams is one of the best things that we can do to reach the city”The new year should show our support for them,” she said
One thing will remain normal – additional police officers will be in uniform and civilian clothes, with dogs and horses and on the water on patrol
Victoria had 8 in the last 24 hours731 test results received, almost 2000 more than on Tuesday
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 meters away from others Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on collecting limits If you are experiencing symptoms of the cold or flu, stay home and schedule a test by calling or having your doctor Contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline at 1800 020 080. News and information are available in 63 languages at sbscomau / coronavirus
Please review the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania
NYE celebrations will be different this year and they cannot and cannot be in Sydney and Australia
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World News – AU – Victoria reports three new local cases of COVID-19 in Melbourne
Source: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/reports-of-three-new-local-cases-of-covid-19-in-victoria