More COVID cases linked to Truganina college, Newport club

The COVID-19 testing site at Al-Taqwa College, Truganina last week. Photo by Damjan Janevski. 246450_05

By Alesha Capone

Ten of today’s new COVID-19 cases detected in Melbourne are connected to Al-Taqwa College in Truganina.

Victoria’s COVID commander Jeroen Weimar said that three staff members, one student and six household contacts of the school have been diagnosed with the virus.

They have all been in quarantine during their infectious period.

Out of the 21 new locally-acquired COVID cases in Melbourne today, another four are connected to the Newport Football Club – one player and three household contacts.

There were also 20 new locally-acquired COVID cases announced in the state yesterday, including one Al-Taqwa College student and five household contacts.

One of yesterday’s vases was linked to a private workplace in Hoppers Crossing, which was in turn was linked to the CS Square outbreak in Caroline Springs.

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.

Mr Weimar said several staff members from Sunshine Hospital and Werribee Mercy Hospital have been furloughed due to visiting COVID-19 exposure sites outside of work.

Exposure sites and the dates are available at: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites.