Three cases linked to shopping centre

Damjan Janevski. 246450_01

Tara Murray

Three new cases have been linked to a Caroline Springs COVID-19 outbreak.

The cases were among 21 new locally acquired cases announced on Thursday morning.

Victoria’s COVID commander Jeroen Weimar said the three cases linked to the CS Square shopping centre were all household contacts, with two in isolation during their infectious period.

The outbreak is related to a staff member who worked at the Spectacle Hub in the centre while infectious.

All staff who worked at the centre between August 2 and 5 have been classified as tier one contacts and are isolating, while a number of stores are also listed as tier one sites.

The whole centre is listed as a tier two site between July 27 and August 6.

Mr Weimar said that across the west, waiting times at COVID testing sites were about an hour in length yesterday.

He said that in Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Brimbank, testing rates have increased threefold, compared to a week ago.

“People are coming out in droves and we are working very hard to get to the bottom of these latest outbreaks,” he said.

A new COVID-19 testing site has been set up at the Keilor Park Basketball Stadium this morning and will operate 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

A number of new exposure sites in Brimbank have been announced.

The include the Brimbank Shopping centre, Taylors Hill Coles, Kings Pharmacy in Kings Park, Morgan’s Supa IGA in Delahey, McDonalds Sunshine, bus routes in St Albans and Sunshine, 7-Eleven in Caroline Springs, Taylors Hill Village and Burnside Hub Shopping Centre.

Details: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites