What do we know about Victoria's increase today?
By Craig Butt
Of the 723 new cases confirmed in Victoria today, only 64 have been connected to known outbreaks.
The remaining 660 are under investigation, meaning the health department will try to find the source of the infection - whether that is a known outbreak or community transmission.
Those 660 case files have been put into a growing queue of more than 3000 case files the department is still working its way through completing.
The number of cases tied to community transmission - where the source cannot be traced - increased by 280 cases to 1698 today.
That's the biggest single-day increase, but what it likely tells us is the infection source cannot be traced for some of the cases that have been at the front of the queue for almost two weeks.
It's probably also a sign more people have been assigned by the health department to carry out the investigations, in the same way that a supermarket will open a check-out when they notice a line stretching all the way into the frozen foods aisle.
It doesn't tell us much about whether community transmission was the likely culprit for people who have tested positive in recent days.
When today's data on new cases is broken down by local government it shows that there have been increases in almost every municipality.
Many of the big increases in case numbers are in areas in Melbourne's north and west that already had high case numbers such as Brimbank and Wyndham.
Active case numbers have increased by 69 in Wyndham, 59 in Melton, 48 in Brimbank and 40 in Whittlesea.
The City of Melton has recorded as many new cases in a single day than it did from the start of the pandemic to this time last month.
Here is the map showing active cases broken down by local government area:
You can see the change in active case numbers in your area using this graph:
Latest updates
More positive cases in Melbourne prisons
By Rachael Dexter
Two prisoners and a staff member at Melbourne Assessment Prison in West Melbourne have tested positive to COVID-19, bring the total cases link to the facility to five.
The staff member last worked on July 25 and their case does not appear to be linked to the prisoner cases, according to a statement published by Corrections Victoria this evening.
Both prisoners are currently in isolation.
Yesterday, two additional prisoners tested positive and the facility was temporarily sent into lockdown.
A prisoner in 'protective quarantine' at the Metropolitan Remand Centre in Ravenhall also returned a positive result on Sunday.
Meanwhile all other Victorian prisons returned to normal operations after a spate of cases over the past fortnight sent six facilities into lockdown.
Breaking: NSW Health issues several new location warnings
By Matt Bungard
NSW Health are now issuing additional warnings for several venues across Sydney, and are urging people to monitor symptoms and get tested if required.
A confirmed positive case of COVID-19 attended Matinee Coffee in Marrickville on Sunday July 26 between 8am to 9am, and on Monday July 27 between 7am to 7.45am.
Matinee Cafe in Marrickville has been linked to the outbreak. Credit:Janie Barrett
Another, who is linked to the funeral gatherings cluster, attended Tan Viet Noodle House in Cabramatta on Thursday July 23 from midday to 2pm.
A case confirmed today who attended the Apollo Restaurant in Potts Point on Saturday July 25 also attended Harpoon and Hotel Harry in Surry Hills on Sunday July 26, from 2.15pm to 11pm in the indoor dining areas.
The Tan Viet Noodle House in Cabramatta has also been linked to the outbreak.Credit:Quentin Jones
Melbourne man with no COVID-19 permit charged in Sydney
By Matt Bungard
NSW Police have charged a 21-year-old man from Roxburgh Park, north of Melbourne, after he arrived from a flight on Wednesday afternoon without a permit to enter the state.
Just before 1pm yesterday, officers who were deployed at Sydney Airport for Operation Coronavirus, were requested to assist NSW Health who were talking with a man who had just arrived on a flight from Melbourne.
Police allege that the man made a number of applications for a permit and had provided false information – allegedly telling officers that he did not have a permit but would apply for one so he could care for his children.
After establishing that the man did not have children, nor a valid reason to be in NSW, police directed him to return to Victoria. He was offered options for travel and further assistance from NSW Health, which he declined.
He was charged with failing to comply with police directions and was arrested about 3.30pm before being taken to Mascot Police Station.
In a search of the man and his bags, officers located a bottle of alprazolam, which was not prescribed to him.
In addition to his COVID-19 related breaches, he was also charged with possessing a prescribed restricted substance.
The man was granted conditional bail but is required to quarantine in a Health-managed hotel until he appears at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 17 August 2020.
Suspected case at high school in Sydney's inner west tests negative for coronavirus
By Rachel Clun
In some good news, a suspected case of COVID-19 connected to Fort Street High School in Petersham has tested negative.
The school was earlier closed for deep cleaning as NSW Health investigated the potential case.
A Department of Education spokesperson said the school has been "thoroughly cleaned' and on-site learning will resume on Friday.
Fort Street High School was closed on Thursday as NSW Health investigated a suspected case.Credit:Steven Siewert
Doctors and nurses dying as coronavirus cases surge in Indonesia
By James Massola and Karuni Rompies
At least 70 doctors and 50 nurses have died from coronavirus in Indonesia, with hundreds more contracting the disease while fighting the pandemic.
The Indonesian Medical Association estimates between 200 and 300 of the country's 160,000 doctors had been infected by the virus. In the second week of July alone 14 doctors died from the disease.
Herlina Simbala marks the 40th day since her son, Dr Michael Robert Marampe died of COVID-19 in Jakarta. Dr Marampe knew what he wanted to be since he was a kid: a doctor and a pianist. He became both.Credit:AP
The National Nurses Association said that at least 300 of the country's 1.3 million nurses have contracted the disease, but cautioned the figure could be higher. In both instances, accurate data is not readily available.
The associations are calling for regular testing of medical workers, guaranteed access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and greater education to slow the spread of the disease.
Indonesia had recorded 104,432 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, while 4975 people have died. Epidemiologists suggest the true infection and death rates could be much higher because of the relative low testing rate of about 5200 per million people.
The number of daily cases has been rising for more than a month, following the government's decision to begin easing social restrictions at the start of June, and averaging about 1600 per day. Wednesday's 2381 new cases was the second highest to date, with Jakarta province topping the list with 577 new infections.
What do we know about Victoria's increase today?
By Craig Butt
Of the 723 new cases confirmed in Victoria today, only 64 have been connected to known outbreaks.
The remaining 660 are under investigation, meaning the health department will try to find the source of the infection - whether that is a known outbreak or community transmission.
Those 660 case files have been put into a growing queue of more than 3000 case files the department is still working its way through completing.
The number of cases tied to community transmission - where the source cannot be traced - increased by 280 cases to 1698 today.
That's the biggest single-day increase, but what it likely tells us is the infection source cannot be traced for some of the cases that have been at the front of the queue for almost two weeks.
It's probably also a sign more people have been assigned by the health department to carry out the investigations, in the same way that a supermarket will open a check-out when they notice a line stretching all the way into the frozen foods aisle.
It doesn't tell us much about whether community transmission was the likely culprit for people who have tested positive in recent days.
When today's data on new cases is broken down by local government it shows that there have been increases in almost every municipality.
Many of the big increases in case numbers are in areas in Melbourne's north and west that already had high case numbers such as Brimbank and Wyndham.
Active case numbers have increased by 69 in Wyndham, 59 in Melton, 48 in Brimbank and 40 in Whittlesea.
The City of Melton has recorded as many new cases in a single day than it did from the start of the pandemic to this time last month.
Here is the map showing active cases broken down by local government area:
You can see the change in active case numbers in your area using this graph:
NSW: COVID-postive person visted Crows Nest Woolworths
By Matt Bungard
Woolworths has said it is taking all the necessary steps to ensure safety after NSW Health told it on Thursday that a confirmed COVID-19 case had visited one of its stores.
"We have been notified by NSW Health that a customer with a confirmed case of coronavirus was present in our Crows Nest store on Monday July 27," a Woolworths spokesperson said.
"While we have been advised by NSW Health that the risk to customers and team members is low, the safety and wellbeing of the local community is our priority.
"As a food retailer, we already have very high standards of cleaning and hygiene in place including the cleaning of high touchpoint areas."
The person in question visited the store between 10.30am and 11am on Monday, after working out at the Fitness First gym in St Leonards from 9am to 10.30am.
Fitness First in St Leonards has been closed due to coronavirus concerns. Credit:Louie Douvis
The person attended The Apollo restaurant in Potts Point last Saturday, became unwell on Tuesday and was tested on Wednesday.
"Customers and team members should be assured they can continue to safely shop and work at our Crows Nest supermarket," the spokesperson said.
The supermarket chain also announced that, as of Monday August 3, all Woolworths Group stores and sites in NSW and ACT will be strongly encouraged to wear face coverings.
Fitness First in St Leonards underwent deep cleaning after a COVID-19 case linked to The Apollo restaurant attended the gym.Credit:Louie Douvis
In Queensland, that policy will be in place from tomorrow. The network includes supermarkets as well as BIG W, Dan Murphy’s, BWS and ALH Hotels.
This is in addition to the mandatory requirements for face coverings in the whole of Victoria, now in place across Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, with the entire state now included from Sunday.
"The safety and wellbeing of our customers, teams and communities is our top priority,"
Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci said.
"Even though wearing a face covering is not mandatory in NSW, ACT or Queensland, as the largest private sector employer with stores in almost every community, we feel it's important we lead the way in helping reduce community transmission of COVID-19.
"We’re asking our teams to lead by example ... masks and face coverings are a highly visible symbol of the persistence of COVID-19.
"By encouraging and role modelling their use, it will further support the steps we need to collectively take to stop the spread of the virus and keep our team and customers safe.”
Face coverings have been provided to all Woolworths Group employees and will continue to be "for the foreseeable future", the company said.
Aged care commissioner says Victorian tragedy deserves separate inquiry
By Julie Power
National aged care inquiry commissioner Tony Pagone, QC, has hosed down expectations that its inquiry on COVID-19 would be able to conduct a full inquiry into what he described as the "tragedy that is unfolding daily Victoria".
In a statement today, he said what was happening in Victoria in aged care warranted "an inquiry of their own".
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he expected the Commission’s inquiry into COVID-19 to be looking at what was happening in Victoria as well.
Epping Gardens Aged Care Facility in Epping on Wednesday.Credit:Eddie Jim
Mr Morrison said that the Royal Commission "will have absolute ability to go into the intricacies of these issues, and I hope they do because all lessons always must be learnt".
Mr Pagone said the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s aged care sector was a national tragedy.
"It is a human tragedy. At the moment, that tragedy is unfolding daily," he said.
"It is important for the public to understand that this Royal Commission is not able, and is not intending, to conduct a full inquiry into that impact.
"We simply do not have the resources or time to conduct an inquiry that would do justice to the issues which have arisen so far and continue to change and develop.
"The issues associated with the impacts of COVID-19 in aged care warrant an inquiry of their own."
Earlier this week the two commissioners, Lynelle Briggs and Mr Pagone, said they would include Victoria’s experience without look at the specific details.
The Commission’s deadline has already been postponed and is now expected to report in February 2021.
An inquiry into COVID-19 will begin in Sydney on August 10.
AFL: Houli's mother's 'massive' improvement paves way for him to join hub
By Anthony Colangelo
Richmond's Bachar Houli has departed for the AFL's Queensland transition hub with his father's blessing, saying he is comfortable leaving Victoria given his mother's improvement following her positive coronavirus test.
The family of Carlton star Eddie Betts was also spotted leaving for the hub at Melbourne airport on Thursday, along with injured ruckman Matthew Kreuzer and his family.
Houli announced his mother, Yamama, had the virus two-and-a-half weeks ago and on Thursday told reporters at Melbourne Airport she was getting better.
"She's much better, and that's the main reason why I am leaving because it's been massive improvements," Houli said.
"She is still in ICU at the moment but everything is functioning really well.
"The greatest thing is I have got my father's blessing and that's the most important thing.
"It was a bit scary. More so it has been an emotional time. Talking to dad before I left and it was very, very emotional. What he's been going through, the fact he can't even see mum.
"The great thing is we are a big family, we stick strong and believe things will get better."
Houli repeated his plea for Victorians to take the virus seriously.
"Not everyone is going to jump on board with certain things and there's going to be differences of opinions," he said.
NSW refuses to reveal number of entrants who do not need to isolate
By Dana McCauley
The NSW government has refused to detail how many of more than 70,590 people issued permits to enter the state from Victoria in recent days were allowed to move freely around the community.
A spokeswoman for NSW Health said while many of the permits issued required people to self-isolate for 14 days after entry, "some border permits allow the person to perform certain activities in NSW."
The NSW government has refused to detail how many of more than 70,590 people issued permits to enter the state from Victoria in recent days were allowed to move freely around the community.Credit:Justin McManus
Earlier today, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that there were a variety of reasons that flights were still coming in from Victoria.
"There’s always exceptions – they could be NSW people coming back home, they may have gone for a funeral, they may have had another issue they had to deal with, it’s really difficult to say no to people coming back home, and we have to be compassionate on those grounds."
Authorities have issued 156,627 permits to about 70,596 people who entered NSW from Victoria under new border restrictions between July 22 and July 29.
The Health Department and Department of Customer Service, which issues the permits, could not provide a figure for how many of these people were required to self isolate.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said on Thursday that with 5385 active cases in Victoria, the potential for COVID-19 to cross into other states was "an issue for all of us."
"Even though there has been border restrictions and mobility restrictions, people for reasons of essential work and other reasons are able to move to other states, and we have seen where that has led to, in New South Wales and, in more recent times, in Queensland," Professor Kelly said.
NSW health authorities on Tuesday directed passengers who were close contacts on flight JQ506 from Melbourne to Sydney that arrived on July 25 self isolate, prompting confusion about why they would not already be doing so.
NSW Health would not say how many of the passengers identified as close contacts had been self isolating upon arrival.
Critical service providers who enter NSW from Victoria are required to self-isolate for 14 days except when providing the critical service.
Members of parliament and political staffers have to self isolate, except when undertaking official duties or leaving NSW "by the most practicable direct route".
Only one person who arrived in NSW by plane has been penalised for allegedly breaching the border restrictions, a NSW police spokeswoman said.
The man did not have a permit, but told police he was seeking one for child access purposes. The police spokeswoman said the man was fined when it emerged he did not have any children.
NSW Police have fined three people at the NSW-Victorian border and turned around 807 cars. One man was charged at the border.
Police have also fined several other people for breaching the requirement to self isolate after entering the state from Victoria.
Those found not to be at home are generally given a warning, in the form of a public health order naming them and directing them to self isolate.
Categories of people allowed to enter NSW from Victoria under the permit scheme include emergency or law enforcement services workers, patients accessing emergency medical care and those those travelling for a child access visit.
Consular officials, members of parliament and political staffers, school or university students, staff or teachers and Commonwealth defence and security workers can also access permits.
Residents of border communities are able to access permits to enter NSW for work, education or medical needs and to provide care to a vulnerable person.
People fleeing Victoria to avoid injury or escape a risk of harm do not require a permit.
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2020-07-30 08:53:00Z
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