Coronavirus update for Victoria - 9 February 2021

Victoria recorded no new cases of coronavirus yesterday.

The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,456.

The number of active cases in Victoria is 15, made up of three locally acquired cases, an increase of one since yesterday and 12 cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine, a decrease of six since yesterday.

Note: There are no extra locally acquired cases, just a change in category. The existing Park Royal case was moved from the travel overseas category to the locally acquired category yesterday.

One returned traveller in hotel quarantine has been transferred to hospital and is currently in intensive care

However, the Department was this morning informed that a returned traveller tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19) after completing their 14-day quarantine.

New case in a hotel quarantine resident

A resident of the Hotel Quarantine facility at Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport has tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19) after completing their 14-day quarantine and being cleared for release. A strong public health response is now underway that builds on measures already in place.

The individual tested negative a number of times during her quarantine period and departed the facility on 7 February. She sought testing in response to the current outbreak at the Holiday Inn, returning a positive result today, 9 February.

Interviews with the individual are underway. Early indications are that the individual has not left her home since exiting Hotel Quarantine on 7 February, other than to obtain a test in a COVIDsafe setting.

Updates to exposure site locations (if any), primary close contacts and other information will be provided as soon as possible.

Primary close contacts will include past residents of the Holiday Inn who completed their quarantine period on 7 February. They will be required to isolate for 14 days. We are in contact with this group. This will come as difficult news to them, but we are being as cautious as possible in our response to this outbreak.

Update: Holiday Inn Airport case

A full public health response to this case is continuing.

Genomics from the case indicate it is a variant of concern. It is an identical sequence to a family who were staying at the Holiday Inn.

Our public health actions were always based on the assumption this was both the mode of transmission and the strain in question and these results confirm that. At this stage there is no clear suggestion of an infection prevention and control protocol breach.

Eight household and family contacts have been identified. They are isolating and being tested. This is down from 17 yesterday, as nine were moved to workplace primary close contacts following interviews.

As of this morning, around 136 hotel quarantine workers at the Holiday Inn have been identified as primary close contacts and are isolating and being tested.

There are no additional public exposure sites. Current sites of this case are as follows:

• Marciano's Cakes in Maidstone between 9:45am - 10:25am on Friday 5 February
• Dan Murphy's Sunshine between 5:50pm - 6:30pm on Friday 5 February
• Off Ya Tree Watergardens between 1:00pm - 1:52pm on Saturday 6 February
• Dan Murphy's in Sunshine between 6:50pm - 7:30pm on Saturday 6 February

Anyone who has visited these Tier 1 exposure sites during these dates and times must immediately isolate, get a coronavirus (COVID-19) test and remain isolated for 14 days.

The number of primary close contacts linked to known exposure sites stands at 25. These numbers are likely to increase as investigations continue.

Yesterday the Department sent around 107,000 text messages to people who live in Sunshine, Maidstone and Taylors Lakes.

All current exposure sites can be seen at Case locations and outbreaks. This website is rapidly updated as any new sites are identified.

Update: Expanded testing

Some 12,816 tests were processed yesterday. Almost 9,000 additional tests were reported from midnight to 8.30am this morning, which will be included in tomorrow’s testing figures.

Testing capacity near exposure sites in Melbourne’s north west was enhanced yesterday. This included extended opening hours, increased staff numbers, additional lanes at the Showgrounds and active diversions to less busy sites. These steps ensured demand was successfully managed.

The Department is publishing expected wait times at testing sites as well as updated information about locations and hours of operation at Where to get tested.

Update: Grand Hyatt case

The Department is continuing to follow up close contacts of a Hotel Quarantine worker at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne who has tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19) on Wednesday 3 February.

There are now 1318 primary close contacts in total identified with this case.

This number includes 21 social and household primary close contacts. All have tested negative.

There are 661 workplace contacts, who also have all tested negative.

There are still 14 identified public exposure sites that were visited by the Grand Hyatt worker.

As of this morning, 636 primary close contacts have now been identified in connection with these public exposure sites, up from 584.

Anyone who has visited the exposure sites during these dates and times must immediately isolate, get tested, and remain isolated for 14 days from the time they were at the site - not just until they receive a negative result.

Visit Where to get tested to view testing sites nearest you and see real-time waiting information. We thank people for their patience and apologise for any delays.

Update: Victoria’s permit system

As advised yesterday, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has declared that from 6:00pm 8 February, the Cumberland Local Government Area (LGA) in New South Wales has moved from an orange zone to a green zone under Victoria’s ‘traffic light’ travel permit system.

People in green zones may apply for a permit to enter Victoria provided they have not been in close contact with a coronavirus (COVID-19) case and do not have any coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms. On arrival in Victoria, they must monitor for symptoms and abide by local directions.

General advice

Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and loss or change in sense of smell or taste. If you are experiencing any symptoms, wear a fitted face mask when you get tested.

The department is publishing expected wait times at testing sites as well as updated information about locations and hours of operation at Where to get tested.

Further information about the wastewater testing program can be found on the Wastewater monitoring page.

Travel permit applications can be made through the Service Victoria portal.

For more information call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398 or visit the Coronavirus Victoria website.

Latest statewide numbers (data reported to 11:59pm yesterday):