Victoria's two biggest coronavirus clusters - in housing commission flats and the state's largest Islamic school - are 'LINKED'
- Al-Taqwa College COVID-19 outbreak linked to Melbourne public housing estate
- The school at Truganina has recorded 113 coronavirus cases since June 27
- Nine public housing estates have recorded 159 cases since 'hard lockdown'
- Victoria's chief health officer said families at had connections at both sites
Victorian health authorities have drawn a link between an outbreak of coronavirus at a set of housing commission flats and the state's largest Islamic school.
The Al-Taqwa College at Truganina, in Melbourne's west, has recorded 113 cases since a teacher first tested positive on June 27.
Meanwhile, nine public housing estates in North Melbourne and Flemington have also recorded 159 cases after its 3,000 residents were ordered into hard lockdown last week - the restriction has since been lifted at all but one of the estates.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton revealed families living at the housing commission flats have connections to the Islamic school, though it had not been established where the cases first started.
The Al-Taqwa College at Truganina, in Melbourne's west, has recorded 113 COVID-19 cases since a teacher first tested positive on June 27 - becoming the state's biggest cluster (pictured, Al-Taqwa College students have their temperature checked outside the school premises)
Meanwhile, nine public housing estates in North Melbourne and Flemington have also recorded 159 cases after its 3,000 residents were ordered into hard lockdown last week - the restriction has since been lifted at all but one of the estates
'It is just a link, it might have gone in one direction or the other direction.
'There may well be multiple importations into these towers - indeed, there might have been multiple importations into Al-Taqwa College.
'These are communities that cross over between Truganina and these towers.'
Al-Taqwa College confirmed its first case after a teacher tested positive on the first day of school holidays on June 27.
More than 2,000 students and staff were promptly told to isolate and get tested for coronavirus.
Fifty nine cases were confirmed on July 5 and 113 by July 9.
Share this article
Previously, an outbreak at the Cedar Meats abattoir had the notoriety of being the state's largest coronavirus outbreak, with 111 people infected.
The government has faced criticism for suddenly putting nine public housing towers in Flemington and North Melbourne into a hard lockdown on Saturday.
Authorities were concerned the high density 'vertical cruise ships' had the 'explosive potential' to spread COVID-19.
Some residents said that made them feel like prisoners, unable to leave their apartments for five days.
There were also problems with the delivery of food and supplies to residents.
Hard lockdown at all but one public housing blocks in the suburbs of Flemington (pictured), Kensington and North Melbourne were lifted on Thursday
Residents at 33 Alfred St, in North Melbourne, will remain in lockdown for the next nine days after 53 residents tested positive
About 2,515 residents have been tested for the virus across the towers over five days, with 159 tests coming back positive.
There are about 3,000 residents in the towers, but children were tested only if a parent returned a positive test.
Hard lockdown was lifted at all but one of the towers on Thursday night.
Residents at 33 Alfred St, in North Melbourne, will remain in lockdown for the next nine days after 53 residents tested positive.
People in the towers who test positive, or are a close contact of someone who does, will be given the option of moving to a hotel for their quarantine period.
'We do really encourage that. That is the safest for you and the safest for everyone else in those towers,' Police Minister Lisa Neville said.
She said a police presence would remain at the towers to ensure public safety.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire re-entered lockdown for six weeks on Thursday.
People can only leave their homes for food and supplies, receive or provide care, exercise, and study or work.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire re-entered lockdown for six weeks on Thursday (pictured, an empty Bourke Street Mall following reintroduction of lockdown in Melbourne)
A guard stands at the entrance of the State Library of Victoria with a sign that reads 'State Library of Victoria is temporarily closed' as Melbourne re-enters lockdown
Police can issue on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 to individuals and $9,913 to businesses if they flout the rules.
Some 96,000 checks were done by police but only nine people received fines.
Prof Sutton said the restrictions were necessary because of the 'sharp increases' in new cases, including 165 on Thursday - the second-highest daily total for Victoria.
Just 30 of the state's new cases are linked to known outbreaks, with 135 under investigation.
Meanwhile, two healthcare workers at Sunshine Hospital and two at the Royal Melbourne Hospital have also tested positive, with contact tracing under way.
Another staff member at Northern Hospital in Epping has also contracted the virus, taking the total to 11.
Seven new cases are staff members at aged care facilities across Melbourne.
It's the fourth day of new cases in the triple digits, with the state's overall total now 3098. More than 900 cases are active.
To date, 22 Victorians have died of the virus.
Cleaners wipe down amenities in Melbourne as the city re-entered lockdown
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
