Victoria records one new case of coronavirus as hotel quarantine inquiry prepares for extraordinary sitting - ABC News

Victoria has recorded one new case of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the state's health department says.

One other case involves a person who has a Victorian address who is quarantining interstate, having recently returned from overseas.

The 14-day rolling average for Melbourne has fallen to 6.4, down from 7.2 yesterday, and there are now 13 'mystery' cases.

In Regional Victoria, the average has fallen to 0.4.

No deaths have been reported overnight.

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Hotel quarantine inquiry prepares to resume

The fall in the new case average comes as Victoria's COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry prepares to hold an extraordinary sitting this afternoon, in light of new revelations since public hearings concluded.

The inquiry has been trying to find out who authorised the use of private security guards — widely seen as a flaw in the program that contributed to the second wave in Melbourne.

LIVE UPDATES: Read our blog for the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic.

The inquiry's final report is due to be handed down next month. But it has confirmed that a statement will be made today by the inquiry chair, Jennifer Coate, and counsel assisting in a sitting due to start at 2:00pm.

Witnesses will not be called to appear at today's session.

Inquiry chair Jennifer Coate is due to hand down a report in November.(AAP: James Ross, file photo)

Premier Daniel Andrews and senior public servants have provided additional phone documents to the inquiry since public hearings finished.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has also acknowledged that he did not "register" that private security guards were being used in hotel quarantine in an email he acknowledged a month earlier.

Chris Eccles, the head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, resigned last week after revelations he phoned Graham Ashton, who was the chief commissioner of Victoria Police, on the day the inquiry was set up.

Earlier, he had told the inquiry he could not recall speaking to Mr Ashton on that day.

The Opposition wants Mr Andrews, Professor Sutton and former health minister Jenny Mikakos recalled to give evidence.

Shadow Attorney-General Edward O'Donohue said the inquiry needed to establish a "pathway to find the truth", and should ask for an extension if it needed more time.

"How can the board make recommendations about the future when the facts haven't yet been established?" Mr O'Donohue said.

"Until we get to the nub of the truth and the facts, the board is not in a position to make recommendations for future policy."

More to come.

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2020-10-19 22:59:00Z
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