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NationalCoronavirus pandemic

This was published 5 years ago

As it happened: Victoria records 238 new COVID-19 cases as Crossroads Hotel cluster grows in NSW; Australian death toll stands at 111

Rachael Dexter and Craig Butt
Updated ,first published

Summary

We are closing the blog for the evening

By Rachael Dexter

That's all for us on the blog this evening - thanks for following along today.

The biggest coronavirus news stories were:

- The situation worsened in Victoria. A woman in her 90s died, making it three deaths in two days in the state. There were 238 new cases. There are 105 people in hospital in Victoria, 20 more than yesterday, and 27 in intensive care, one more than yesterday.

- The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne reported that five healthcare workers tested positive to COVID-19. They add to the hundreds of Victorian doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who have been furloughed after COVID-19 clusters spread through three emergency departments, a coronavirus ward, an oncology unit and a rehabilitation hospital in recent days.

People on Lygon Street in Carlton on Wednesday, one week in Melbourne's lockdown 2.0.Eddie Jim

- In NSW, there were 13 new cases, including 10 linked to the Crossroads Hotel. The hotel cluster ballooned to 34, with virus detectives have tracing the COVID-19 contagion back to a work party held at the pub where up to three people were infected by a man visiting from Melbourne.

Police officer at Werribee station tests positive

By Rachael dexter

Werribee Police station in Melbourne’s west has re-opened after another officer tested positive to COVID-19 on Tuesday.

The officer received a positive notification and the station was immediately closed for deep cleaning, according to a Victoria Police spokesman.

The station re-opened on Tuesday evening.

“Contact tracing is under way to establish how many Victoria Police officers had contact with the infected officer during the past 14 days,” the spokesman said.

“At this stage we don't believe any members of the public came into contact with the officer while they were contagious, but we are continuing to make inquiries to determine if anyone else needs to be tested.”

Queensland hotspot hotel visitors cleared

By Matt Dennien

All 18 Queenslanders who came forward after visiting the Sydney hotel at the centre of a growing COVID-19 outbreak in the state have been cleared of the virus, as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would make no apologies for delays at the border.

The group had come forward to be tested voluntarily ahead of new hotspots declared by health authorities to force travellers to declare if they had visited two New South Wales council areas linked to the Crossroads Hotel cluster.

A drive through coronavirus testing clinic at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula on Wednesday.Wolter Peeters

As of Wednesday, NSW health authorities had linked 34 cases back to the popular hotel.

The 18 Queenslanders will be tested again towards the end of a 14-day home isolation period. Health authorities have urged all who had visited the site between July 3 and 10 to come forward.

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Seven cases linked to Melbourne childcare centre

By Rachael Dexter

A childcare centre in Pascoe Vale South in Melbourne's north has recorded seven COVID-19 cases, and will likely remain closed until late next week.

Only About Children's Coonans Hill campus first recorded a positive case in a staff member last week, but that number has now reached seven.

In a letter to parents, seen by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, chief executive Anna Learmonth wrote that six of the cases were associated with the 0-two age rooms and one in the "Broad Beans" room.

It's not clear from the letter how many cases are children and how many are teachers.

"We continue to work with the DHHS on appropriate cleaning of the campus. In the next few days, an additional clean will involve the removal, cleaning and storage of all books, toys, paperwork, equipment and resources off premises," Ms Learmonth said.

"Due to cleaning and self-isolation requirements, we will not be reopening this week or Monday 20 July. Our best estimate at this stage is towards the end of next week but we will keep you updated. Re-opening is dependent on DHHS sign off, so timing remains fluid."

Victorian clubs won't be damaged by exodus: Kennett

By Jake Niall

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett does not think Victoria's AFL clubs will suffer long-term damage as a result of the COVID-19 spike that has seen the exodus of all clubs from the state that founded the game.

Kennett said the spread of the coronavirus in Victoria meant it was "inevitable" that teams would leave the state en masse for a time this year – with seven to be in Queensland from next week – but the AFL would rebound in Victoria and this period would prove to be an aberration.

"It's disappointing, very disappointing, but I think we've become somewhat conditioned to the fact that the virus still seems to be uncontrolled ... this was inevitably going to happen.

"It's a ramification of what is a higher issue."

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Positive case linked to David Jones store in Melbourne's east

By Rachael Dexter

A David Jones store at The Glen shopping centre in Glen Waverley has reopened after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement on Wednesday, centre management said the staff member last worked at the store on July 9.

A number of people have been identified as close contacts and sent into self-isolation. The store closed overnight on Tuesday for a deep clean, and reopened on Wednesday with extra cleaning in place, centre management said.

"We have also increased our cleaning roster since learning of the case, with additional focus on specific areas throughout the centre," the statement reads.

"This will continue for the foreseeable future."

There was another positive COIVD-19 linked to the shopping centre on July 6, in a team member who worked at The Asian Grocer.

That team member last worked on June, 28. The DHHS advised the risk to anyone who was in the store at the time is very low and no further action was required.

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AFL players' partners could have bubs in hubs

By Sam McClure

St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary and star teammate Jake Carlisle may consider flying their pregnant partners to the Saints' Queensland hub so they can be together when they give birth.

Geary's wife and Carlisle's partner are both due to give birth in the next three months, meaning there's a chance the players will still be in Queensland completing the home and away season – or finals.

Jarryn Geary training in Noosa on Wednesday.St Kilda Football Club

While nothing has been confirmed, the club will explore the possibility of flying the women up to the hub and finding them an obstetrician in Queensland.

Saints chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said relocating partners and having babies interstate was an option if the players were forced to spend longer on the road than initially planned.

All Victorian police officers to wear masks in stations

By Erin Pearson

Victorian police officers have been advised to wear face masks in stations.

The recommendation comes days after 57 Frankston police were forced into isolation following close contact with two colleagues who tested positive to coronavirus.

Police officers across all of Victoria will now need to wear face masks inside stations.Jason South

Victoria Police said in a statement on Wednesday night staff statewide had been advised to wear face masks within controlled Victoria Police workplaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained, including where no contact with the public occurs.

The face masks will be supplied by Victoria Police.

Sydney steakhouse closes after diner tests positive

By Matt Bungard

A popular steakhouse in Sydney’s south has been closed for deep cleaning after a person with confirmed case of COVID-19 dined there on Saturday.

Hurricane’s Grill at Brighton confirmed in a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon that they had closed for the next two days.

“To all our valued customers, we have been notified by NSW health of a confirmed case of COVID-19 of one of our customers who dined with us at our Brighton Le Sands location on the evening of Saturday the 11th of July between 6 and 8pm,” the statement read.

“NSW Health will be contacting all patrons who may be at risk and dined with us on the night. We are working closely with them and will follow all government recommendations.

“As a precaution we will be closing the restaurant to have the location professionally deep cleaned and sanitised and will reopen on Friday 17th July. Stay safe and together we will get through this.”
Hurricanes boasts six outlets around NSW, as well as one at Surfers Paradise.

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Melbourne college shuts as staff member tests positive to virus

By Adam Carey

A large private school in Melbourne’s north has closed, sending staff home and reverting to remote learning for senior students after an IT worker tested positive to COVID-19.

Al Siraat College in Epping informed the school community of the positive result late on Tuesday night.

Al Siraat College in Epping.

Principal Fazeel Arain wrote to parents at 10.45pm to tell them the school would be closed immediately for cleaning.

Students in years 10, 11 and 12 were due to begin term three classes on site on Thursday but “will now be moved online until further notice”, Mr Arain said.

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