Coronavirus update for Victoria - 16 February 2021

Victoria has recorded four new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Two of the new cases are locally acquired and are household primary close contacts of confirmed cases linked to the Holiday Inn.

The total number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases now linked to the Holiday Inn is 19.

Victoria’s other two cases are in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

The number of active cases in Victoria is 25, made up of 16 locally acquired cases, an increase of two since yesterday and 9 cases in hotel quarantine, an increase of two since yesterday.

The total number of confirmed cases in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,475.

Update: Holiday Inn Cases

The two new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) linked to the Holiday Inn attended the private dining room at 426 Sydney Road, Coburg, on 6 February.

They are family members of confirmed cases and have been in quarantine throughout their infectious periods.

As these new cases have been in home quarantine during their probable infectious periods, there are currently no new public exposure sites linked to these cases.

In relation to the Holiday Inn cases, we have identified 59 primary close contacts linked to households and social groups and 1189 primary close contacts linked to exposure sites.

The number of identified close contacts, particularly those linked to exposure sites, will continue to change as exposure sites and cohorts are cleared and others are identified.

Our contact tracing efforts continue to meet performance benchmarks.

Ninety-nine per cent of new primary close contacts identified on 12 February were contacted by our contact tracers within 48 hours.

Over the past week, that average figure is 99.5 per cent.

Update: Exposure sites

There are now more than 40 public and private exposure sites in Victoria.

Yesterday, the Department reported a new case linked to the Holiday Inn cases who also worked in a psychiatric unit at Alfred Health and on two mental health wards in the northern suburbs.

As of last night, 70 primary close contacts were identified through those sites.

The health services have tested those primary close contacts and others, returning 114 negative test results.

The Department has identified around 100 primary close contacts at two kindergartens in Glenroy that were visited by a child with the virus.

Ninety primary close contacts are from the Goodstart Early Learning Centre. 70 of these yesterday attended our new dedicated testing centre for children and staff. All have returned negative results.

Another 10 close contacts are identified from the Glenroy Central Kindergarten. Eight of these have returned negative results so far.

At the Queen Victoria Market, the Department has identified more than 100 primary close contacts, including 34 stall holders and around 70 people from a primary school in Ballarat who were at the market on an excursion. They are being tested.

The Department has also identified 407 primary close contacts linked to two swimming pools in the northern suburbs.

Following further investigation and analysis of public health risk, the Department has adjusted times for the exposure site at Elite Swimming in Pascoe Vale.

It was initially listed as a Tier 1 site for the period between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm on February 8.

It is now a Tier 1 site for the period of 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm only. Out of an abundance of caution, one half hour on either side of this period is listed as a Tier 2 exposure site time.

People linked to Tier 2 sites are strongly encouraged to isolate, get a test and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.

A number of primary close contacts will be cleared as a result of this change.

Two new exposure sites were published yesterday.

One is a Tier 1 exposure site:

• Sacca’s Fruit World at Broadmeadows Central between 12.30 pm to 1:00 pm on 9 February.

Anyone who was at the site on that date and times must isolate, get tested and stay isolated for 14 days.

In addition, the west side of the Broadmeadows Central shopping centre (fresh fruit and meat section) has been listed as a Tier 3 exposure site from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm on 9 February.

People who have visited Tier 3 exposure sites should monitor for symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and get tested if symptoms develop.

As a further enhancement to our contact tracing efforts, almost 850,000 text messages have been sent to people who live in suburbs containing an exposure site.

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

Update: Expanded testing capacity

Demand for testing increased at several key sites yesterday.

Four rapid response testing teams were operational at:

• A site for children and staff linked to Goodstart Early Learning Centre
• Coburg Lake Reserve in Coburg North
• Featherbrook Reserve in Point Cook
• A drive-through site at the old Masters in Sunbury

Expanded testing operations and opening times are continuing at many more sites.

With high temperatures forecast over coming days, some testing sites may have to close or alter their hours of operation.

Active heat management and diversion plans are in place.

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.

Circuit-breaker actions

Victoria’s new circuit-breaker actions are still in effect.

You cannot leave your home unless it is for one of four reasons: shopping for necessary goods and services; care and caregiving; exercise; and permitted work.

You must stay within five kilometers of your home. This limit does not apply to work or when giving or receiving care. You can leave your home in an emergency or if there is family violence.

Face masks must be worn indoors and outdoors whenever you leave your home.

These measures will be in place until 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February, subject to public health advice.

These important measures are critical to our efforts to limit potential community cases of COVID-19 and to stay on top of our current situation. By limiting movement, we can limit the spread.

For more information about all the circuit-breaker actions, please visit the Coronavirus website.

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.

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 website.

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