Victoria records 22 new coronavirus cases, majority linked to meatworks cluster

Victoria has recorded another 22 coronavirus cases, including 19 connected to a meatworks cluster, as community-wide testing ramps up.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews Source: AAP

Victoria has recorded another 22 coronavirus cases as community-wide testing ramps up.

There are now 1406 cases in total in the state, with 19 of the new cases linked to an outbreak at a Melbourne meat processing plant.

The facility, which was not named by authorities, was previously linked to 15 cases.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the majority of the workers with the virus at the meat processing plant were asymptomatic.

"All of them will have been in quarantine at the time they've been identified, so it's not a risk to the general community and it's not going to get out of control," he told reporters on Monday.
Professor Sutton said the facility has been shut down and testing of staff will continue.

Two other new cases were returned travellers while one other case still being investigated.

Premier Daniel Andrews said 55,000 Victorians have been tested for the virus, with 13,000 people undergoing tests on Sunday alone.

"More than we've seen on a single day in any part of the country throughout this whole pandemic," he said.

"I can't emphasise enough how pleased, how proud and how grateful I am."

Victoria's state of emergency is set to expire on May 11, which is the earliest date the government will consider relaxing current social distancing restrictions.
The state's testing blitz aims to complete 100,000 tests before next Monday.

Melbourne Water will be at the forefront of a coronavirus sewage sampling project aiming to help inform policymakers and health authorities about potential clusters of people infected.

The teacher's infection was reported after Education Minister Dan Tehan accused Mr Andrews of failing in his leadership by keeping schools shut.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at .


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3 min read
Published 4 May 2020 9:40am
Updated 4 May 2020 9:55am



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