Benjamin Millar
Authorities are scrambling to find the source of a mystery COVID-19 transmission to a Melton family of three as more than a dozen new Melton locations have been identified as exposure sites.
A Melton child and his parents have been identified as three of the five new mystery cases announced on Wednesday, with Premier Daniel Andrews announcing that the sixth lockdown would be extended until at least 11.59pm Thursday, August 19.
There are now 13 active cases in the City of Melton area after six new cases were revealed, while statewide there are currently 116 active locally acquired cases with 20 new cases and almost 300 exposure sites.
Victoria’s Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said Melton’s High Street retail area remains an area of significant concern.
“There are 13 exposure sites already listed and we expect to see more during the day,” he said.
“Please come forward and get tested if you have any symptoms or have been to any exposure sites.”
Mr Weimar said the Caroline Springs cluster has now grown to 29 positive cases and that all staff who were working at CS Square from August 2 to 5 are now listed as tier one contacts.
He said CS Square remains “safe to visit”.
Mr Weimar said he has also asked Bacchus Marsh Grammar to close its Maddingley campus despite it being in a regional area because of the number of students travelling from various western suburbs metropolitan areas to access the school.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said there more than 12,000 primary close contacts are now quarantining and almost 300 public exposure sites have been listed.
“Then there are the five unlinked cases today which are also of concern,” he said.
Mr Sutton said it’s important to trace how the mystery Melton cases were transmitted and find out if there are any other unidentified cases in the area.
“Our epidemiologists are working really hard to try and identify that particular family in terms of the shopping precinct or any other likely exposures,” he said.
Melton area exposure sites include Tabcorp Park on August 2, AK Nails Beauty at Woodgrove Shopping Centre on August 1,TerryWhite Chemmart in Woodlea Town Centre on August 7, Woolworths at Coburns Central Shopping Centre on August 7, Tasman Butchers at August 7, Woolworths at Woodgrove Shopping Centre on August 5, VicRoads Melton on August 5, Bunnings Melton on August 5, The Coffee Club Cafe at Woodgrove Shopping Centre on August 5, Coles Woodlea Town Centre on August 7, Dance Effects Performing Arts Studio in Ravenhall on August 3, Lady and the Hair in Bakery Square on August 4 and 5, Jolly Miller Café in High Street on August 4, Morgan’s IGA on August 5, Shoppers Bonanza on August 5.
