UPDATE: Two more tier one exposure sites have been identified in Epping.
The health department said a positive case attended JMD Grocers & Sweets at 768 High Street on May 17 between 10.30am-1pm.
A positive case also attended The Furniture Trader a 102-120 Cooper Street on May 18 between noon-12.50pm.
McDonald’s at Clifton Hill has also been listed as a tier one exposure site on May 22 from 6-7pm.
Melbourne’s Bamboo House has also been identified as a tier one site, with a positive case visiting the venue on May 21 between 11am-1.50pm.
There has also been some new tier two sites announced in the City of Whittlesea.
People who attended the Deep Indian Supermarket in Lalor on May 20 between 7pm and 8.30pm, Fruits of Lalor on May 19 between 12pm and 1pm, No.1 Fruit Market in Lalor on May 19 between 12pm and 1pm, Everfresh Fruit Market in Lalor on May 19 between 12pm and 1pm, Bunnings Warehouse Mill Park on May 20 between 4pm and 6.30pm, ACTROL in Thomastown on may 17 between 12pm and 1.30pm and White Line Automative on May 20 between 12pm and 1.30pm are urged to get tested and isolate until they have a negative result.
EARLIER: The number of COVID cases linked to a family outbreak in the City of Whittlesea has grown to nine.
The Department of Health and Human Services late today said it had identified a further four cases.
There are now 17 active cases in the state, including hotel quarantine.
A section of Broadmeadows Hospital was closed this morning for deep cleaning after a positive case attended the hospital on Friday.
Northern Health, which runs the hospital, confirmed one section of its outpatients department has been deep cleaned as a precaution and some clinics relocated or conducted via telehealth.
The hospital remains open with elective surgery continuing as planned.
The Department of Health has identified 37 close contacts from the hospital – 26 of those have already returned negative test results.
The department said the site wasn’t listed as an exposure site because there were records of everyone who attended the hospital.
A department spokesman said the site is being closely managed and public health actions are under way.
Two additional exposure sites in Epping have also been announced. Chemist Depot in Pacific Epping between 11.15am-12pm on May 23 and Aldi Epping in Dalton Village between 6.00pm and 7.00pm on May 23 are classified as tier two sites.
MEANWHILE, visitors to a number of Highpoint shopping centre stores are being forced into 14-day quarantine after five different locations were identified as Tier 1 COVID-19 exposure sites.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services sounded the alarm on Monday after contact tracers tracked a COVID-positive patient’s movements back to the popular shopping centre on the evening of May 20.
The Department further revised its public exposure sites warning for Highpoint shopping centre on Tuesday afternoon, naming Lush Cosmetics, Toyworld, Smiggle, Kidstuff and Ishka as Tier 1 exposure sites.
Visitors to Highpoint shopping centre are required to get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure if they attended any of these locations during the following times on Thursday, May 20:
– Kidstuff (Level 2) from 5.20pm – 5.55pm
– Toyworld (Level 2) from 5.30pm – 6.20pm
– Ishka (Level 2) from 5.45pm – 6.20pm
– Smiggle (Level 3) from 5.55pm – 6.30pm
– Lush Cosmetics (Level 2) from 6.05pm – 6.35pm
Shoppers who visited all other areas on Levels 2 and 3 from 5.15pm – 6.35pm are required to get tested urgently and to isolate until they receive a negative result.
Highpoint owner GPT said that centre management has received notification the centre has been listed as a COVID-19 public exposure site by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
A spokesperson said centre management continues to monitor the situation, and is following all relevant advice and guidance issued by the Department of Health and Human Services with regards to COVID-19.
“We will continue with all precautionary hygiene measures already implemented, including heightened cleaning regimes throughout all high traffic areas,” the spokesperson said.
“The comfort and safety of customers, tenants, contractors and staff at Highpoint remains the utmost priority at all times.”
The Highpoint scare comes as some restrictions are reintroduced in Metro Melbourne on Tuesday night as the number of active coronavirus cases grew.
Masks will be compulsory indoors for anyone 12 years of age and older, private gatherings indoors will be limited to five people and public gatherings will be limited to 30 people.
Chief health officer Brett Sutton said the restrictions would remain in place until Friday, June 4, when they will be reviewed.
Meanwhile Western Bulldogs players and staff have all received coronavirus tests and are currently isolating until they receive a negative result, after a staff member reported being at Highpoint during the exposure period.
As a precautionary measure, players and staff were asked by the AFL, in consultation with the state government, to undergo testing and isolate to rule out any risk.
The Club expects minimal disruption to its preparations for Friday night’s match against Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
