New South Wales reports five new cases of Covid-19 as Victorian case may prove historic
Victoria may have no new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, with authorities suspecting the state’s only new infection to be historic
The state’s only case, recorded in Moonee Valley in northwest Melbourne, is of an individual who has previously tested positive for the virus Prime Minister Daniel Andrews said experts are now trying to determine if this was an extremely rare reinfection or if they were simply shedding the virus from their previous illness
« This could potentially be a day of zero and it’s been a long time since we had a day of zero and it is a testament to the hard work of every Victorian in the city, in the suburbs, in regional communities, large and small, « said Andrews
The last time Victoria didn’t register any new cases was on June 8, just before the start of the second wave Melbourne’s 14-day moving average has now fallen to 64
There was a delay in asserting daily figures on Tuesday morning because the Department of Health and Human Services was apparently verifying one of the two new cases initially reported
When the numbers were settled, it was reported that one of the infected had a Victorian address, but was in quarantine after returning from overseas
In more positive news, Andrews reported that pubs and cafes could be open early next week if numbers remain low
On Sunday, the PM suggested that hospitality could reopen from November 1, but said the date could be brought forward Tuesday, he provided more clarity on the potential schedule
« I will be standing here on Sunday [October 25] and I hope I can confirm to the Victorians that as far as retail is concerned, pubs, restaurants, cafes, bars, as well as a number other settings, we can do we have what’s called a « dark opening » for, say, the first day or two of next week and then we can be up and running from there It is not appropriate that we are trying to move this forward, ”he said
Andrews did not elaborate on what an « obscure opening » would entail and clarified that all decisions would be made based on the number of cases in the days ahead
The PM also noted that a mysterious case would no longer be enough to delay the opening of the state, as the roadmap of restrictions suggests
« A single case like this wouldn’t make the difference between this Sunday … for a staged opening a few days later, and the wait until November 1, » he said
Andrews has confirmed that the state government is considering reducing its quarantine program at problematic hotels and using electronic monitoring devices for some returning travelers, but said no decision had not been taken
« Regarding the bracelets anklets, whatever we call them, [I] brought to my attention that other countries were doing it and just said it was worth looking and watching that, ”a he declared
« If we can get people to their homes safely, but have confidence that they are not spreading the virus and that we can monitor their health, that makes sense to me »
Prominent lawyer and human rights activist Julian Burnside, president of Liberty Victoria, has said he supports electronic surveillance as an alternative to quarantine in hotels
« Seems to me like the idea is good, as long as it saves people from something worse, » he told ABC radio
« I don’t like the idea of electronic surveillance, but… if it saves you the horror of being locked in a hotel room for two weeks, then I think that’s justifiable too »
Tuesday was the last in a series of days New South Wales recorded more locally acquired cases than Victoria, with two new infections recorded
NSW Deputy Health Director Jeremy McAnulty said the two new locally acquired cases were both linked to known cases and clusters One was family contact of a previously confirmed case linked to the Liverpool private clinic cluster, which now has a total of 12 cases
The other locally acquired case was close contact with a case linked to a person who attended Great Beginnings daycare in Oran Park
Covid case today
World news – AU – Victoria Prime Minister Daniel Andrews said the state may not have had any new cases of coronavirus
