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TWO Omicron super-spreader events feared as 730 patrons told to isolate

Victorian health authorities are scrambling to work out if Omicron exposure at two Melbourne bars have turned into super-spreader events.

The Department of Health said on Wednesday morning hundreds of patrons are at risk after potential Friday night exposure when an Omicron case visited two inner-city venues.

The two venues of concern are Sircuit Bar in Fitzroy and The Peel Hotel in neighbouring Collingwood.

Anyone who attended Sircuit Bar from 9pm to midnight must get tested immediately and isolate for seven days.

The two bars hosted hundreds of guests on Friday. Source: Google Maps
The two bars hosted hundreds of guests on Friday. Source: Google Maps

Anyone who attended the Peel Hotel between 11.30pm until 3am on Saturday morning must follow the same instructions.

An estimated 410 and 320 people were at Sircuit Bar and Peel Hotel respectively during those times. They are all deemed close contacts.

"We're still learning more about this variant, so we're taking careful steps to ensure the safety and health of everyone in the community," the health department said on Wednesday.

Unvaccinated people in attendance must quarantine for 14 days.

It comes as health authorities across the country keep a close eye on Omicron's spread in the community.

While Victoria's daily cases remain over 1,000 they have yet to experience a significant uptick since restrictions were eased. There were a further 1,405 cases on Wednesday.

However in the past few days, cases have begun to rise in NSW, and daily infections soared beyond 800 on Tuesday and then beyond 1,300 on Wednesday.

Queensland Health has also told passengers and crew on two flights, including one travelling from Newcastle, to quarantine for 14 days. They were all deemed close contacts and will need to spend Christmas in quarantine.

Health authorities are concerned the festive period will accelerate transmission of Omicron with warnings issued regarding upcoming Christmas parties.

UNSW epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws warned NSW is on the precipice of another Covid wave with the "tightening" of areas where Omicron can escape into, and is urging people to continue to wear masks until they've received a booster shot.

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