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Coronavirus test results from outbreak in Melbourne's north could decide how quickly city reopens - ABC News

Laboratories worked late into the night to process 1,400 COVID-19 tests taken in Melbourne's northern suburbs yesterday, as health authorities battle to contain the outbreak that threatens to derail plans to reopen the city.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said late yesterday afternoon that no additional positive cases had been detected in more than 1,100 test results returned on Sunday.

But the department's commander of testing and community engagement Jeroen Weimar said 1,400 swabs taken in the area on Sunday were still being processed last night.

Mr Weimar said there had been a huge response from the community to the call to get tested, with more than 13,000 people from the local government areas of Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Moreland and Nillumbik being tested since Tuesday.

"This testing enables us to get a very clear picture of how many cases there are and ensure there is a plan in place for everyone who tests positive along with the close contacts," he said.

"There will at times, no doubt, be delays as more people come forward, but we are so appreciative of everyone making the effort, particularly during these colder spring days."

Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday delayed a planned announcement on the easing of Melbourne's restrictions, saying it was "not safe" to reopen Melbourne while so many test results connected to the outbreak were outstanding.

There are currently 39 cases linked to the outbreak, including cases associated with East Preston Islamic College and Croxton School.

The DHHS is continuing to investigate possible links between the outbreak and other positive cases in the area.

The department says extensive contact tracing and community engagement is underway, including a door-knocking program providing information in a range of languages, community meetings, information stalls and in-home testing.

Residents in Dallas, Roxburgh Park, Broadmeadows, Preston and West Heidelberg who have even the mildest of symptoms are being urged to get tested.

All East Preston Islamic College and Croxton School families and staff are being encouraged to get tested even if they do not have symptoms, and stay home until they receive their results.

Both schools will remain closed for the next two weeks.

Coolaroo GP John Hodgson poses for a photo in a backyard.
Coolaroo GP John Hodgson says some of his patients are confused about how to isolate.(ABC News: Patrick Rocca)

Some messages not getting through, GP says

John Hodgson, a GP in Coolaroo, which borders Dallas, said communication remained an issue.

"It seems to be quite chaotic at the moment, and things seem to be changing day by day," he said, adding doctors wanted more information about the local outbreak, so they knew who to test, and how to help their patients.

"We seem to pick it up from social media and other media outlets, but there's no direct communication from the department at all," Dr Hodgson said.

He said while it was good to see the community getting tested, some messages were still not getting through, especially on how to isolate and quarantine.

"I've had other people who've come in getting a swab and then say, 'Now I have to go and do the shopping for the week now,' and I say, 'No, no you have to go home and self-isolate,'" he said.

"And another woman said, 'So the kids stay inside my yard,' and I said 'yes', and she said, 'Surely they can go and play with the other kids in the street,' and I said 'no.'"

Moustafa Fahour stands on a nature strip in a suburban street.
Moustafa Fahour says the Muslim community are focused on containing the outbreak so the city can reopen.(ABC News)

'The response has been incredible', community leader says

Muslim community leader Moustafa Fahour, the founder and a director of the Islamic Museum of Australia, described the community response to the call to get tested as "overwhelming".

"East Preston Islamic College has allocated 10 staff just doing phone calls. I know the Islamic Society of Victoria has rallied another five people just making phone calls to all the community.

"The response has been incredible.

"I can't thank them enough, and everyone in the community that's coming out, getting tested, working together to really get this cluster controlled, so we can all come out of this lockdown."

Eliza Lim wears a face mask as she poses for a photo in her clothing boutique.
For Eliza Lim, not being to open her clothing boutique for months has been tough.(ABC News: Margaret Paul)

'We just want to open'

Businesses reacted with disappointment to yesterday's postponement of the Premier's announcement on Melbourne's reopening.

Eliza Lim, who owns Fitzroy clothing boutique Inspirasia, said the delay was not unexpected given the northern suburbs outbreak, but it was nevertheless hard for small businesses like hers.

"One lives in hope. We've been waiting a very long time. Just having to wait another day longer, another two days, three days, a week, feels very long at this stage," she said.

"We just want to open. We just want to resume trading, making a living."

Louis Kuo, who owns a number of restaurants across Melbourne, said he had been a supporter of restrictions aimed at suppressing the virus, but the Government needed to improve contact tracing.

"I support the lockdown, because I think we need to kill this virus once and for all.

"The number [of cases] now is really low. I think we need to open the state as soon as possible.

A man in standing with his arms crossed.
Restaurateur Louis Kuo wants the State Government to focus on improving contact tracing.(ABC News: Kyle Harley)

"I appreciate what [the Premier] has done for us for the past three to six months, but we want him to focus on the contact tracing."

Nathan Jones, who owns a gym in Malvern, said he felt fitness businesses had been put at the "back of the queue" because they had not been given the opportunity to explain how they could operate in a COVID-safe way.

Mr Jones said by limiting patron numbers, diligently disinfecting gym equipment and enforcing social distancing, gyms could safely reopen.

Given gym-goers are members and there is CCTV, contact tracing could be "really easily done" at gyms, Mr Jones added.

Two men stand in front of racks of dumbbells.
Malvern gym owner Nathan Jones (left) with one of his clients, Steve, says gyms can reopen safely.(Supplied: Nathan Jones)

"I'm 100 per cent confident that we can find the solution. We can respect the health advice … we can respect that we've fought back [against the second wave] ... [but] we can help your Victorian people back into health and wellness to lift people's spirits," he said.

Mental health expert Patrick McGorry said the Premier was clearly aware of the impact delaying the reopening announcement would have on people's morale.

"But I'm hopeful if we can go ahead with releasing restrictions in a couple of days, perhaps in the great scheme of things that won't matter too much," Professor McGorry said.

He said it was important for people to know that this situation would not last forever.

"This will pass. We've got to be hopeful. We've got to be optimistic.

"All of these crises and disasters do pass, and if you are struggling and you're worried about your own mental health, reach out to someone you trust and ask them to get some help for you as soon as possible."

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTEwLTI2L3dhaXQtZm9yLWNvdmlkLXRlc3QtcmVzdWx0cy1mcm9tLW5vcnRoZXJuLW1lbGJvdXJuZS1vdXRicmVhay8xMjgxMTU3MtIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjgxMTU3Mg?oc=5

2020-10-25 19:25:00Z
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