Concerns after coronavirus spike in one Australian state
Victoria has recorded 21 new cases of coronavirus in a single day.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told reporters on Wednesday morning that there were 21 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in the state over the past 24 hours.
Fifteen are in hotel quarantine after returning from overseas and one is at aged care centre Rosstown Community in Carnegie in Melbourne’s southeast.
The centre has been put into lockdown.
The 53-bed facility run by Glen Eira council will have to undergo deep cleaning and contact tracing.
A staff member from Stamford Plaza Hotel, which houses returned travellers, has also become infected with COVID-19.
A childcare worker at Inspira Kids Early Learning centre is another case reported on Wednesday.
It’s forced the closure of the childcare centre at Gladstone Park in Melbourne’s northwest for more than a week.
“The staff member attended the centre for two days last week while infectious,” a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.
It’s the highest increase of cases reported in Victoria since May 4 when 22 new cases were reported in one 24 hour period.
On Monday, there were nine new cases reported and on Tuesday there were 12.
Last Tuesday, the state actually recorded no new cases of the virus.
Ms Mikakos said the state's infection tally has increased to 1762.
Three primary schools were also closed this week after students tested positive.
‘Why would you want to go there?’
South Australia has lifted border restrictions between it and Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania. It was effective from 11.59pm on Tuesday.
SA Premier Steven Marshall said the change means people from those states will no longer be required to stay in quarantine for 14 days when they arrive in SA.
When asked about SA opening its borders to other states but not Victoria, premier Daniel Andrews asked: “Why would you want to go there?”.
“I don't want to be offensive to South Australians but why would you want to go there?” the premier told reporters on Wednesday.
“Holiday here. The best experiences in our nation are right here in Victoria. Go skiing, go to the wine country, go to the beach, whatever it might be.
“Victorians I think will be very keen to be close to home this weekend.”
Mr Andrews added “don't get too stressed they won't let you into Adelaide”.
with AAP
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