Coronavirus Melbourne: New coronavirus test for worst-hit suburbs amid growing spike, with lockdowns possible from tomorrow - 9News

Melbourne suburbs hit by the new coronavirus outbreak will not face any possible lockdown restrictions until tomorrow at the earliest, as officials wait for the results of a 10 day testing blitz.

The Victoria Premier said while he is considering issuing 'stay at home' orders for the 10 areas, it won't happen yet, as door-to-door tests continue today, with the help of the Defence Force.

That includes a new test, which is offering a less invasive way to check if people have the virus.

The saliva test is less invasive than the nose swaps normally taken to test for COVID-19, and is expected to see more people tested in the worst-hit suburbs.

A person self-swabs a COVID-19 test at Broadmeadows, Melbourne. (AAP)

It has been developed by scientists at the Doherty Institute and is being fast-tracked to the coronavirus hotspots.

Young adults in their 20s and 30s make up a third of the new spike, with fears they're not heeding the social distancing rules.

The state recorded 49 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, an increase of eight on Saturday's figures and the highest daily total since April 2.

Just four of the new cases have been linked to known outbreaks, with the source of infection still under investigation in the remaining 45.

(Nine)

The number of people being treated in hospital has also increased from five to seven, with one person seriously unwell in intensive care.

Over the weekend, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed health authorities are considering putting the worst-hit suburbs in lockdown dozens of new cases were recorded.

Likening the ongoing pandemic to battling bushfires, Mr Andrews said "putting this out" would prove a big challenge.

Localised stay-at-home orders are still being discussed, the premier said.

"If that is deemed the appropriate public health response, then that is what we'll do," Mr Andrews said.

A healthcare worker conducts a COVID-19 test at a Coronavirus pop-up testing facility in Broadmeadows, Melbourne, Friday, June 26, 2020. Coronavirus pop-up testing facilities have been setup in residential streets throughout area's considered coronavirus hotspots following a spike in cases. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING (AAP)

The government has been waiting on the full results of the three-day coronavirus blitz in suburban hotspots to come through before deciding on any further measures, Mr Andrews told a press conference.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMijgFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvY29yb25hdmlydXMtbWVsYm91cm5lLW5ldy10ZXN0LXdvcnN0LWhpdC1zdWJ1cmJzLWNvdmlkLTE5LXZpY3RvcmlhLW5ld3MvNDkwM2M0OTAtNjQwYi00ZWUxLWEwNzAtYzBjMzE4ZDBiMTIw0gFFaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAuOW5ld3MuY29tLmF1L2FydGljbGUvNDkwM2M0OTAtNjQwYi00ZWUxLWEwNzAtYzBjMzE4ZDBiMTIw?oc=5

2020-06-28 21:34:25Z
52780879777527

Bagikan Berita Ini