By Tara Murray
Hume residents are being urged to be alert for COVID-19 symptoms, after traces of the virus were detected in wastewater in Broadmeadows and Roxburgh Park.
Health Minister Martin Foley this morning revealed that traces had also been found in wastewater at Coburg, Reservoir and Glenwood.
“We have uncovered a number of unexpected detections, something to which we now know we need to be alert to,” he said.
“If you have been to those areas in 48 hours through to the morning of February 8, monitor symptoms.”
It comes as the hotel at the centre of three cases of COVID-19 community transmission in the last four days was closed this morning.
The Holiday Inn at Melbourne Airport was closed for deep cleaning.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the returned passengers have now been moved to other hotels.
He said they were unable to complete the full clean of the premises while people were still staying at the hotel.
Anyone who has been at the hotel for more than 15 minutes between January 27 and February 9 is considered a close contact and is required to get tested and quarantined for 14 days.
Returned passengers who are currently quarantining have to quarantine for an additional 14 days.
Those who have tested positive at the hotel are two workers and a returned passenger.
A worker tested positive on Sunday, while a returned passenger, who had served their 14 days quarantine, and another worker tested positive on Tuesday.
Three tier one exposure sites, where the women who tested positive on Sunday, have been identified.
They are Dan Murphy’s in Sunshine on February 5 between 5.50pm and 6.30pm and the following day between 6.50 pm and 7.30pm; Off Ya Tree at Watergardens Shopping Centre on Saturday between 1.00pm and 1.52pm; and Marciano’s Cakes in Mitchell Street, Maidstone on February 5 between 9.45am and 10.25am.
No sites have been identified to have been visited by the returned passenger, who ended her quarantine on Sunday.
The third person to test positive is a food and beverage worker who last worked at the Holiday Inn on February 4. The worker then developed symptoms on February 6 and were revealed to be a close contact of a positive case on Monday.
Thirteen close contacts have been identified. Of those, five have had tests come back negative so far
Seven exposure sites in Sunbury, where the person visited, have been identified.
On Friday, February 5, the person visited PJ’s Pet Warehouse between 3.37pm and 4.10pm, Bakers Delight at Sunbury Square Shopping Centre between 3.40pm and 4.15pm, Aldente Deli at Sunbury Square Shopping Centre between 3.45pm and 4.23pm, Sushi Sushi at Sunbury Square Shopping Centre between 3.53pm and 4.28pm and Asian Star at Sunbury Square Shopping Centre between 3.57pm and 4.30pm.
On Saturday, February 6, the person also visited Sunny Life Massage at Sunbury Square Shopping Centre between 4.30pm and 6.30pm and Cellarbrations between 6.17pm and 7.02pm and again the following day between 5.44pm and 6.19pm.
Cleaning crews were deployed to the shopping centre last night to deep clean and sanitise the premises.
The shopping centre was provided with a clearance certificate today at 5.16am . The five businesses listed as an exposure site are still closed for deep cleaning and contact tracing.
The Department of Health and Human Services expects more exposure sites may be identified.
Anyone who visited the sites during these times must immediately isolate, get tested and remain isolated for 14 days.
Testing is available at the Hume council carpark, Pearcedale Parade, Broadmeadows, and Roxburgh Park Youth and Recreation Centre, 75 Lakeside Drive, Roxburgh Park.
Details: coronavirus.vic.gov.au
