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Melbourne COVID outbreak linked to an arrival from Sri Lanka

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8 June 2021 10:33 am - 9     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The source of Melbourne's most worrying Covid cluster which has left millions locked down for two weeks has finally been found, a returned traveller from Sri Lanka who arrived in the city a month ago.

Five million people locked down in the city could finally be freed within days with just two new infections found on Tuesday, both linked to known sources.  

Acting Premier James Merlino said authorities had genomically linked the West Melbourne Delta cluster to a man in his 40s who arrived from Sri Lanka on May 8.

The man, from the Glen Eira area, tested positive the same day and was moved from the Novotel Ibis to the Holiday Inn 'health hotel' on May 14 before being released on May 23.

His genomic sequence is a match to the second of the two families identified at the North Melbourne Primary School as part of the West Melbourne outbreak.

But authorities are still unsure how the virus was transmitted from the returned traveller to the infected family.

Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng said there were four main theories, with some more likely than others.

'At this stage, we have not identified any high-risk incidents or interactions with staff or residents that may provide a clue as to the link to this outbreak,' Professor Cheng told reporters on Tuesday.

Mr Merlino said Melbourne and regional Victoria are 'on track' to ease restrictions later this week.

'So I just want to send that very reassuring message to all Victorians. Nothing about today changes our plans,' he said on Tuesday.

Acting Police and Emergency Services Minister Danny Pearson said all 24 flight passengers and a Skybus crew had returned negative tests.

Some 268 COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria staff worked at the Novotel Ibis on May 8 and 9, and 360 staff at the Holiday Inn.

They along with 12 residents housed on the same floor of the Novotel Ibis have tested negative.

The West Melbourne outbreak is linked to the North Melbourne Primary School, and involves several children, while the other outbreaks in the city are linked to the Indian Cappa variant.

The welcome news means Melbourne's lockdown is likely to be lifted as scheduled at 11.59pm on Thursday, with restrictions likely easing to those currently in place in regional Victoria, source claimed.


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  Comments - 9

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Punchi Banda Tuesday, 08 June 2021 10:59 AM

    Newest export from Sri Lanka, Covid 19. Being a good vassal of China we are working with China to export virus to destabilise the civilised world

    Lanka Puthra Tuesday, 08 June 2021 11:24 AM

    Sir, Now our Sri Lanka is very famous in the world for Covid 19.

    Lanka kollo wasai Tuesday, 08 June 2021 12:32 PM

    The world should call it the lankan variant.

    GrandRapids Tuesday, 08 June 2021 12:43 PM

    Nice work to trace the origin of the cluster. There was no military intelligence.

    Pani kumari Tuesday, 08 June 2021 12:45 PM

    Pavithra akki pani mutti Melbourne arinda

    s.vaidy Tuesday, 08 June 2021 01:06 PM

    Natural fertilisers from china should never be imported from any country.Indian goats introduced the menacing plasenia grass in the fertile red soil areas in Jaffna and unless chemicals are used to eradicate them it is difficult to eliminate this poisinous

    BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 08 June 2021 01:11 PM

    That product is a joint business we Chingalese are doing with China. We also have enormous amounts of State Criminality and Corruption that we can export.

    Sri Sirisena Tuesday, 08 June 2021 03:14 PM

    Api Thamai Hondatama Kare!

    Sira Tuesday, 08 June 2021 04:33 PM

    Lanka POKURA covid 19


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Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

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