Michaela Meade
Update: Health officials remain concerned about a COVID-19 cluster in Broadmeadows.
Five of today’s 73 new locally acquired cases of the virus have been linked to the MyCentre cluster in Broadmeadows.
Chief health officer Brett Sutton said the cases were linked to the childcare centre, and that eight of the cases announced today were located in the Hume municipality.
Professor Sutton said there were also cases in the City of Whittlesea, however did not give a number.
“You can’t have your head in the sand around this,” Professor Sutton said.
“If you are symptomatic and you might be infected with COVID, the only path for protecting your family, your loved ones, your close contacts, is to get tested so that they can know at the earliest possible time.
“If they know that they are personal close contacts and can quarantine, they will not put other people at risk.
“This is not about blaming anyone, this is about being clear that the only pathway to protect those around you, those you care about most, is to actually know your own status with regard to COVID-19.”
Earlier: More tier two COVID-19 exposure sites were identified in Epping and Broadmeadows at the weekend.
The health department identified Northern Hospital in Epping, and three businesses in Broadmeadows as exposure sites, as Victoria recorded 73 new locally acquired cases of coronavirus today.
The department has advised anyone who visited any of the sites during the dates and times listed below to get tested urgently and isolate until they receive a negative result.
– Northern Hospital in Epping, main entrance and foyer on Friday, August 27 between 1.30pm and 1.45pm;
– Chemist Warehouse Broadmeadows at Broadmeadows Central on Monday, August 18 between 11.45am and 12.45pm;
– IGA X-Press Broadmeadows on Olsen Place on Tuesday, August 17 between 12.45pm and 1.30pm; and
– Olsen Place Tattslotto on Nepean Street, Broadmeadows on Tuesday, August 17 between 1.05pm and 1.35pm.
More information on exposure sites: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
To find out where to get tested: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19
