More coronavirus cases in Melbourne meatworks cluster, NSW reports two positive tests

Further cases of coronavirus have been linked to a meatworks in Melbourne's west, bringing the cluster up to 106 people.

People walk along a walkway at Port Melbourne Beach in Melbourne.

People walk along a walkway at Port Melbourne Beach in Melbourne. Source: AAP

Another three cases of coronavirus have been linked to an abattoir in Melbourne's west, bringing the cluster to 106 people.

The household contacts of people linked to Cedar Meats in Brooklyn are among four new cases recorded in Victoria on Thursday.

The state's coronavirus tally has increased by just one to 1,581 after another three cases were reclassified - one moved to another state and another two dropped because of duplication.

There are now 88 active cases in Victoria, with 10 people in hospital, including five people in intensive care.
Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville.
Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville. Source: AAP
Police Minister Lisa Neville said there have been no new cases in aged care.

But a woman at HammondCare's Caulfield Village dementia facility is due to receive the results of a COVID-19 test on Thursday after she was tested a third time.

The facility went into lockdown after the woman tested positive on Monday before a second swab came back negative on Tuesday.

She was then tested for a third time.
HammondCare chief executive Stephen Judd said on Wednesday the woman was "doing really well" despite a cough that prompted the testing.

More than 150 staff and residents have tested negative at the facility.

It is among three aged care homes put in lockdown after residents tested positive to COVID-19.

A resident from Villa Maria Aged Care Home in Bundoora went to hospital at the weekend with a fever, returning an inconclusive test result.

More tests were negative, but the nursing home remains in lockdown.

A resident at Lynden Aged Care at Camberwell was diagnosed with COVID-19 while being treated at a metropolitan hospital, prompting the facility to also shut its doors to visitors on Tuesday.

Impact around Australia

NSW recorded two new cases in the last 24 hours from 9,700 tests, bringing the state tally to 3,082.

One of the new cases was a student at Saint Ignatius' College Riverview in Sydney's north. NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant said contract tracing had been conducted, with relevant people in isolation.

The source of the infection was yet to be identified, Dr Chant said. 

Queensland recorded another day of no new coronavirus cases as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and state health officials hit out over criticism of Queensland’s border closure.

The state’s total number of cases stands at 1,058 with 12 of those still active.

SA, ACT and NT have no active cases.

Australia has now recorded 7,079 cases, with only 635 active cases remaining. The national death toll is 100.

More than six million of an estimated 16 million people with smartphones have registered for the federal government's COVIDSafe tracing app since April 26.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store. SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments.

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3 min read
Published 21 May 2020 10:40am
Updated 21 May 2020 12:23pm



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