Premier Daniel Andrews has rejected a suggestion that a new strain of coronavirus from the UK has already been recorded in Victoria.
Key points:
- No new locally acquired cases have been recorded in Victoria
- National Cabinet will discuss tougher measure to stop the UK viral strain from spreading
- Daniel Andrews is confident the Black Rock cluster is under control
Victoria has recorded no new locally acquired coronavirus cases today, but one in hotel quarantine, the state's health department says.
There are now 39 active cases in the state.
Mr Andrews said media reports that said the UK strain had been detected in Victoria in June were incorrect.
"The strain we are talking about at the moment that is so much more infectious is not here, it has not been here, and it is our aim to keep it out," he said.
"It is wrong to say that the UK strain that we are absolutely concerned about right now was here months ago. Arguably it didn't actually exist months ago."
The Premier said it was likely that stronger measures to prevent the spread of the UK strain in Australia would be agreed at today's National Cabinet meeting.
"It's my expectation, and I'm very confident we will see issues like pre-flight testing, issues like flight crew being tested when they get here, a whole range of measures that we've pushed and advocated for," he said.
"Given the extremely infectious and contagious nature of this UK variant, it is very, very important that we do everything we can."
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said 23,108 test results were received yesterday, but around 10,000 results were delayed because of a technical issue.
DHHS said a technical outage at a private pathology lab delayed the reporting of negative test results to some individuals.
The outage does not affect the total positive cases reported, and the negative results will be included in tomorrow's update.
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Premier confident Black Rock cluster is under control
Mr Andrews said there were positive signs regarding the Black Rock cluster that had occupied health authorities for the past week.
"I wouldn't say it was over, but we're confident I think, and very positive, about the fact that we're not seeing further chains of transmission, we're not seeing further outbreaks that are in some way linked to that Black Rock outbreak," he said.
Mr Andrews said it was possible people who were self-isolating may yet return positive results and the outbreak was "not quite run to the ground."
There is still no clarity on how a Vermont South man, who tested positive after attending the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and sales at Chadstone Shopping Centre, contracted the virus.
The Premier said the case had not yet been directly linked to the Black Rock cluster, although genomic testing showed both were linked to the outbreak in Sydney.
Uncertainty around what Brisbane lockdown means for Victorians
Mr Andrews said he supported the decision to impose a three-day lockdown in Brisbane to stop the spread of the UK strain of coronavirus.
The Victorian Government will issue updated advice for Victorians in Queensland, but the Premier said getting temporarily stuck in Queensland was a possibility.
"If you're from Victoria and you're in Brisbane, the rules that apply in Brisbane apply to you so this issue about bolting home — that may not be one of the four reasons that you're allowed to leave where you are staying," he said.
Mr Andrews said the Government would have definitive advice "in the next few hours" regarding Victorians in Brisbane.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTAxLTA4L3ZpY3RvcmlhLXJlY29yZHMtbm8tbmV3LWxvY2FsbHktYWNxdWlyZWQtY29yb25hdmlydXMtY2FzZXMvMTMwNDE0MTbSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTMwNDE0MTY?oc=5
2021-01-07 22:14:00Z
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