The Victorian Department of Health has recorded five new locally acquired COVID-19 cases for the state, though two of these had already been announced.
This means five new locally acquired transmissions of the virus were recorded yesterday, all of which are linked to the King’s Park apartment complex in Southbank, just south of the Melbourne CBD.
The new cases come as Melbourne looks to continue its easing of lockdown restrictions that include a 25km travel bubble. There were 17,538 test results received yesterday and 14,870 vaccine doses administered at state-run sites.
There are currently 55 active cases in the state.
Reported yesterday: 5 new local cases and 3 new cases acquired overseas (currently in HQ).
– 14,870 vaccine doses were administered
– 17,538 test results were receivedMore later: https://t.co/0xmnS54Kvl#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/LJ0xQNo2sW
— Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) June 15, 2021
Victoria had initially recorded zero new cases, but Health Minister Martin Foley revealed in the afternoon that two residents of a Southbank townhouse complex had tested positive and would be included in Wednesday’s numbers.
The pair, both men, were primary close contacts of a fellow resident who tested positive over the weekend.
It’s unclear yet whether the new cases could affect the easing of lockdown. Melbourne is expected to be brought into line with most of the restrictions currently in place in regional Victoria. Density limits in hospitals are still likely to be kept in place.
Senior state government ministers and health officials are meeting this morning to finalise the details of the new arrangements and the changes are set to come into effect from 11:59pm on Thursday.
Meanwhile, more than 20 new locations have been added to Victoria’s COVID-19 exposure site, including stalls at South Melbourne Market.
The Sakura Kaiten Sushi II restaurant in the CBD was also added, along with a Woolworths at South Melbourne and a Bunnings in Port Melbourne.
Richmond IKEA has been listed as a Tier 2 exposure site as well as several shops in Melbourne’s CBD, including two in the Queen Victoria building.
A full list of exposure sites can be found here. If you have visited any during the times of exposure you must isolate and get tested immediately.
Information on where to get tested and opening times can be found on the state government website.
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