MCG, Chadstone Virus Case Sparks Test Push
Tens of thousands of cricket fans and Boxing Day shoppers are being asked to get tested and self-isolate, following Victoria’s first mystery COVID-19 case in more than two months.
Health authorities are scrambling to find the source, with a man in his 30s catching the virus after attending the sales at Chadstone Shopping Centre on December 26 and the Boxing Day Test at the MCG the following day.
Chadstone and the MCG, billed as the largest shopping centre and sports stadium in the country, have now been listed as possible transmission sites.
It presents a major challenge to Victoria’s bolstered testing and contact tracing network, with the state’s COVID response commander Jeroen Weimar describing it as a “needle in a haystack exercise”.
Victoria has recorded zero new coronavirus cases after thousands of residents rushed to get tested when a mystery case emerged.
The figures, which were announced on Thursday morning, come after 32,767 tests were conducted. There are 38 active cases in the state.
Victoria s cases are believed to be linked to the outbreak in Sydney s Northern Beaches, which may have escaped from hotel quarantine.
There are now calls for compulsory testing for passengers returning to Australia after fears were raised that the highly infectious UK mutant coronavirus strain could soon enter the country.
Victoria has recorded zero new coronavirus cases after thousands of residents rushed to get tested when a mystery case emerged (Pictured: Shoppers in masks in Melbourne)
Shocking video posted to social media showed revellers dancing shoulder to shoulder inside Electric Bar in Prahran. How good s Melbourne. Full house as always, the video was captioned.
The brazen move comes despite Victorians being required by law to wear masks indoors unless they are eating or drinking.
Electric Bar has since taken to Instagram to remind patrons that masks need to be worn at all times.
A shocking video posted to social media showed revellers without face masks dancing shoulder to shoulder inside Electric Bar in Prahran
Venues found flouting the measures face on-the-spot fines of up to $10,000, with $200 fines for individuals who don t wear masks. Pictured: Electric Bar in Prahran
Thousands to get tested as Australia-India match named possible COVID-19 hotspot A race is now on to trace and test an estimated 7,000-8,000 fans, and to find out if one of the highest-attended sporting events since the pandemic began was a super-spreading event. India s Jasprit Bumrah (2nd L) appeals for a decision against Australia s batsman Cameron Green (2nd R) on the first day of the second cricket Test match between Australia and India at the MCG in Melbourne on 26 December 2020. Picture: AFP.
77 days ago
SYDNEY - Thousands of cricket fans who attended Australia s showpiece Boxing Day Test against India have been told to get tested and isolate Wednesday after a spectator at the match tested positive for COVID-19.
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