The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, has today declared Greater Melbourne, including Greater Geelong, Moorabool and Golden Plains a COVID-19 Hotspot for the purposes of Commonwealth support, for an initial period of 7 days from 11:59pm on 5 August 2021 until 11:59pm on 12 August 2021.
Victoria has announced the occurrence of 12 cases in metropolitan Melbourne. There have been multiple exposure sites attended by cases during their infectious period. These are listed on the Victorian Government's website.
The outbreak is the result of the Delta variant of concern of SARS-CoV-2. The Delta variant of concern has been responsible for recent outbreaks in NSW. Delta variant has higher rates of transmission, resulting in the need for more stringent public health measures to control a community outbreak.
On 5 August 2021, the Victorian Government announced a 7-day lockdown from 8:00pm on 5 August 2021. The Commonwealth has offered the Victorian Government its support and assistance during this period.
Declaring a hotspot for Commonwealth support triggers, if required:
- Provision of PPE from the National Medical Stockpile
- Actions for aged care facilities including PPE, single site workforce supplement and integration of an aged care response centre into the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
- Assistance with contact tracing
- Asymptomatic testing via General Practice led Respiratory Clinics
- Reprioritisation of vaccine supplies, if required
- Access to COVID-19 Disaster Payment, if eligibility criteria are met
- Two Medicare Benefits Schedule items for telehealth consultations for patients in COVID-19 hotspots.
