More than 10,000 people in Melbourne's coronavirus hotspots have declined to be tested during Victoria's testing blitz, with Health Minister Jenny Mikakos saying some of those residents believe the virus is a conspiracy.
As cases have continued to climb across Melbourne, doorknockers have targeted suburbs where community transmission is a concern, encouraging people to be tested.
Ms Mikakos said authorities had been "smashing targets for testing" with more than 164,000 people tested across Victoria and doorknockers reaching nearly 95,000 homes.
But she said that more than 10,000 people had refused to be tested for a range of reasons, including that they may have already been swabbed.
She said officials were analysing the data for more clarity on their reasons.
"It is concerning that the report that I have received is that some people believe coronavirus is a conspiracy or that it won't impact on them," she said.
Victoria recorded its 17th straight day of double-digit coronavirus case increases, with another 66 people diagnosed overnight.
Of the new infections, 17 were connected to contained outbreaks, one was detected in hotel quarantine, 20 were diagnosed through routine testing and 28 cases were under investigation.
Yesterday saw the fourth-highest daily increase since the pandemic began, and community transmission has been on an upward trend.
Premier Daniel Andrews said although the number of new cases of COVID-19 was "unacceptably high", it was pleasing to see the numbers relatively stable instead of "a doubling and a doubling again".
Mr Andrews has announced an extra $2 million in mental health funding, with a focus on residents in hotspot suburbs.
Today is the second day of stage three restrictions being imposed on more than 300,000 residents of 10 postcodes across Melbourne.
Ms Mikakos said the postcodes with the highest number of new cases were 3064, 3031, 3047 and 3060.
This covers the suburbs of Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo, Kensington, Flemington, Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana and Fawkner.
The suburbs within the 3031 postcode, Kensington and Flemington, are not currently under the reimposed restrictions.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Annaliese van Diemen said a daily increase was not enough to cause new restrictions to be imposed, but instead health authorities looked at trends over time.
The postcodes with the most active cases include postcode 3047 — taking in Broadmeadows, Dallas and Jacana — with 25 active cases and postcode 3064 — taking in Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park and Kalkallo — with 52 active cases.
Ms Mikakos said in some of these postcodes there may be about 100 individuals who were currently isolating as close contacts of confirmed cases.
"So the risk factor is there, not just because we have active cases but because we have got close contacts who might potentially then test positive themselves," she said.
More to come.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiVWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA3LTAzL3ZpY3RvcmlhLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWNhc2VzLXJpc2UtYnktNjYvMTI0MTk1MzjSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI0MTk1Mzg?oc=5
2020-07-03 02:11:55Z
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