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Victoria has 4,000 unknown coronavirus cases that can’t be traced
A worrying 4,000 of Victoria’s coronavirus cases have come from an unknown source, with health officials baffled as to how the mystery infections spread.
The numbers are causing concern for Melbourne’s embattled health chiefs, who are worried that the continuing rise in community infections will make it difficult to lift draconian Stage Four lockdown.
Victoria recorded 113 new coronavirus infections on Friday, marking the fifth day infections have dropped below 150.
The state also reported 12 new fatalities, taking their death toll to 497 and the national figure to 584.
Premier Daniel Andrews said there 4,197 COVID-19 infections which could not be linked to outbreaks despite the ‘detective work’ of contact tracers.
The state has now recorded a total of 18,822 coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
Premier Daniel Andrews said there 4,197 COVID-19 infections which could not be linked to outbreaks despite the ‘detective work’ of contact tracers
Victoria reported 113 new coronavirus cases and 12 deaths on Friday. Pictured: Victoria’s second wave of infections
Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton was asked if the ‘mystery cases’ are expected to fall in two weeks, in time for the end of strict lockdown.
‘We are heading in the right direction, mystery cases remain a similar proportion of our total cases each day,’ he said.
Prof Sutton said authorities are tracking down cases ‘much faster’ as the number of daily infections continue to be driven down.
‘I do expect it [mystery cases] to come down in the next two weeks but there is a great deal of complexity in that tale of the epidemic,’ he said.
Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton was asked if the ‘mystery cases’ are expected to fall in two weeks, in time for the end of strict lockdown. ‘We are heading in the right direction, mystery cases remain a similar proportion of our total cases each day,’ he said
Most key statistics are showing the worst of Victoria’s second outbreak is over and there is growing anticipation about lifting some restrictions.
Melbourne’s Stage Four lockdown and the Stage Three rules for regional Victoria are due to end on September 13.
But Mr Andrews insists it is too early to go into detail about returning to some semblance of normality, only saying a roadmap will be made public ‘soon’.
Instead the government and health authorities want to see daily case numbers drop further.
Thursday’s figure of 113 was the lowest since the July 5 tally of 74 – also the last time it was below 100.
As infections continue to decline Scott Morrison (Pictured with Victorian premier Dan Andrews) is expected to call for an exit plan to be made to ease the state out of lockdown
Nancy Oziya, social sewing teacher at The Social Studio, poses for a photograph wearing a face mask
As infections continue to decline Scott Morrison is expected to call for an exit plan to be made to ease the state out of lockdown.
The prime minister wants a ‘principles-based approach’ to easing level four restrictions, which have been in place since August 2.
He wants the move to be driven by data and well communicated to the public, the Herald Sun reported.
A woman walks through an empty street in Melbourne’s CBD during lockdown on Tuesday
Recurring protests have been taking place at Dandenong’s George Andrews Reserve each afternoon in a blatant breach of health directions
Mr Andrews is meanwhile being dragged to the negotiating table over a proposed extension to Victoria’s State of Emergency legislation, allowing the retention of ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
He wants 12 months but without the support of the state opposition, may have to compromise to satisfy at least four crossbench MPs for it to pass.
Prominent crossbencher Fiona Patten wants the emergency powers extended by no more than six months and a cross-party committee to oversee the provisions.
The current pandemic emergency declaration is due to expire on September 13 after a maximum six extensions.
Mr Andrews stressed the proposed extension did not mean stage four restrictions for another year and rules would only remain ‘for so long as it is necessary’.
On Thursday, the premier said he was having ‘productive’ conversations with the crossbench.
Victoria recorded 113 new coronavirus cases and 23 deaths on Thursday. Pictured: A man and a woman in face masks walk through a park in Melbourne
‘When we get an outcome – and I’m very confident that we will – one that both protects public health, acknowledges that we can’t go from Stage 4 to Stage 0 and have no rules at all,’ he said.
‘You want to open up, that’s exactly what we want to do, you have to have a framework, a structure.’
Mr Andrews added his state could not open up with 100 new coronavirus infections each day.
Source: Daily Mail Australia | News Colony
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