Australia Coronavirus Hotspot Victoria Steps up Efforts to Contain Covid-19 Spike
Australia’s state of Victoria recorded 75 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, health authorities announced, leading to increased concern the nation may be on the cusp of a second wave of cases as it removes lockdown restrictions that have crippled the economy.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews says the government has stepped up efforts to contain a spike in Covid-19 cases by ordering mandatory testing of all travelers returning from overseas. International arrivals who enter a mandatory hotel quarantine will be tested twice — on the third and 11th days of their 14-day isolation.
Andrews said those who refuse to comply will be required to remain in quarantine for a further 10 days to ensure they pose no risk to the wider community.
“I don’t think too many people are going to make that choice, particularly that you now add in the fact that it’s no longer the nasal test or the back of the throat test – it will be the saliva test which is so much easier,” Andrews said.
According to the Johns Hopkins University, Australia had by Sunday recorded 104 deaths related to Covid-19.
The surge in cases in Melbourne, the capital of Australia’s second-most-populous state, have been centered around suburbs in the city’s northern and western fringes. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews, who has indicated that some of those areas may need to return to stricter lockdown measures, has blamed some clusters on large family gatherings that have broken social-distancing restrictions.
“Many of the cases that have come through today are overwhelmingly concentrated in those priority suburbs,” state Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told reporters in Melbourne on Monday. “It’s important to reiterate to the community that you are not immune from catching coronavirus by virtue of the postcode that you live in.”
Australia has been one of the stand-out performers globally in limiting the spread of the virus, but the flare-up in Victoria is raising concerns about a second wave that could potentially set back the lifting of some restrictions and slow the nation’s economic recovery. Plans to open a travel “bubble” with neighboring New Zealand have already taken a knock as both countries grapple with incidents around virus management.
Victoria Chief Medical Officer Brett Sutton told reporters in Melbourne that the state may need to consider further lockdown restrictions.
“I think it will get worse before it gets better,” Sutton said. “It is a concerning number.”
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