No new local COVID-19 cases in Victoria

More than 14,600 Victorians were swabbed at testing stations across the state on Thursday, the health department said, with the waiting times at some sites stretching longer than three hours.The health department confirmed three new cases were recorded on Friday morning, all in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.There are 24 active cases in Victoria – 23 in hotel quarantine and one locally acquired case.The rush to get tested came after a 26-year-old man from Noble Park, who was working for the Australian Open quarantine program, returned a positive COVID-19 test result on Wednesday.The worker was stationed at the Grand Hyatt Hotel and last worked on January 29.

The health department said on Friday morning 16 of the man’s 17 social and household contacts had tested negative.The final result is expected on Friday.The health department has revealed 14 potential public exposure sites with anyone who has visited the “tier 1” sites during the times listed required to immediately isolate, get tested and remain isolated for 14 days from the time they were at the site.

Health authorities have also opened four additional testing sites in the Melbourne CBD, Monash Clayton, Dandenong South and Noble Park North, while another 15 stations across the southeast suburbs have extended their operating hours.The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is now 20,452.
jack.paynter@news.com.au