By Oliver Lees
Victorians are bracing for the fifth COVID-19 lockdown to be extended, after 13 cases were announced on Monday morning.
With a number of locations of concern, including two major sporting venues, nervous Victorians are pondering more time in lockdown.
A five-day lockdown came into place across the state at 11.59pm on Thursday, making it the state’s second lockdown in the past two months.
The health department said all of Monday’s recorded cases are linked to known outbreaks and bring the total number of active cases in the state to 81. This includes one case recorded in the regional town of Mildura.
The man, in his 30s, had attended an AFL match at the MCG before presenting to a hospital in Mildura on Saturday and received a positive test to COVID-19.
Speaking on Sunday, Premier Daniel Andrews said the case in regional Victoria demonstrates how quickly the virus can spread.
“It’s about as far away from Melbourne as you can get,” Mr Andrews said.
“A problem anywhere, can be a problem everywhere.”
As of Monday morning, it was unclear when an announcement would be made in regards to extending the lockdown or any easing of restrictions.
There are nearly 300 exposure sites across the state, with a growing list in regional areas ranging from Phillip Island to Mildura.
As of Sunday, there were 10 cases linked to the City of Hume outbreak, which includes four cases from a Craigieburn family that returned from Sydney.
Hume mayor Joseph Haweil said residents were taking the rise in cases in the local area seriously.
“Sadly in Victoria we had to learn that the hard way,” Cr Haweil said.
“There is obviously a sense of anxiety when there are COVID cases in the community.
“We’re confident that we’re a strong resilient, hardworking community that will get through this very quickly.”
In the 24 hours to Monday, the state recorded 54,839 test results while 14,758 vaccine doses were administered.
The BP petrol station located at the corner of Holden Road and the Calder Highway in Calder Park has been listed as a tier one exposure site.
Anyone who attended the site on July 11 between 11.30am and 1pm is required to get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days.
For more information on exposure sites: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
To find out where to get tested: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19
