A Hume postcode that was one of the worst-affected areas during Victoria’s second COVID-19 wave last year, has recorded the highest number of active virus cases in the state.
Department of Health data shows that postcode 3064 – which includes Roxburgh Park, Craigieburn, Mickleham and Kalkallo- has 307 active cases.
Postcode 3046 (Glenroy, Oak Park and Hadfield) had the second highest number of active cases – 177.
Postcode 3047 – Broadmeadows, Dallas and Jacana – had the fourth highest number of active cases at 150.
Three other Hume postcodes were included in the top 10, with the health department showing there are 88 active cases in 3061 (Campbellfield), 85 in 3048 (Coolarro and Meadow Heights) and 66 in 3059 (Greenvale).
COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said 190 of today’s 334 new locally acquired cases were recorded in the northern suburbs, including Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park.
The state recorded one new COVID-19-related death since yesterday.
Mr Weimar said there were “significant case numbers” linked to an outbreak connected to Kasr Sweets in Coolaroo.
“We urge all people, whichever stores you’re using, whichever parts of the community you’re in, please make sure you’re using the QR code check in,” he said.
“We are seeing transmission hubs at these locations.
“And please make sure, of course, you do all the social distancing and mask wearing that we need to do at this quite challenging time.”
Mr Weimar said ongoing “household-to-household” transmission remained a concern for health officials, and urged people to abide by the chief health officer’s restrictions.
As reported by Star Weekly, community, faith and health leaders in Hume yesterday called for more vaccine doses to be sent to the northern suburbs.
Speaking today, Mr Weimar said 52 per cent of the state’s vaccine doses were being sent to the northern and western suburbs.
He also revealed the state had asked the commonwealth to prioritise the activation of pharmacies in the northern and western suburbs to administer Moderna doses.
