Victoria has recorded 45 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, as thousands of people scramble to make the most of expanded Pfizer eligibility.
Key points:
- The majority of new cases were in the community while infectious and nine are unlinked
- Victorians aged 16 to 39 are now eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine from state-run hubs
- Outbreaks at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Shepparton are putting pressure on the state's healthcare services
Just 17 of the new cases were in quarantine while infectious, and 36 of the cases have been linked to existing outbreaks.
The results were detected from among 53,321 test results processed on Tuesday, when 31,629 vaccine doses were delivered at state-run sites.
From this morning, 450,000 first-dose Pfizer appointments have been made available through state-run vaccination hubs, as eligibility for Pfizer expands.
Those aged 18-39 can now receive either AstraZeneca or Pfizer, while those aged 16 and 17 are eligible for Pfizer.
Bookings can be made on the government's website, which has been under high demand this morning, or through the Victorian coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
There are now more than 760 COVID-19 exposure sites listed across Victoria, including a tier 2 listing for Queen Victoria Market on Sunday afternoon.
Dozens of essential shops across Melbourne, Geelong and Shepparton are also listed.
The Geelong region sites, which are spread across Norlane, Corio and Lara, are linked to a household of six who have tested positive this week.
The state's outbreaks are placing increasing pressure on the healthcare system, with the Royal Melbourne Hospital only accepting the most urgent ambulance arrivals.
The hospital has sent around 450 staff into quarantine as it tries to prevent an outbreak linked to Shepparton from spreading.
Wastewater alerts across Melbourne's west and north
Health authorities are continuing to issue alerts for wastewater detections in areas that have not recorded recent positive cases.
There have been 13 repeated detections in Sunshine West dating back to August 8.
Health authorities believe someone working in the Sunshine West industrial area has coronavirus but has not presented for testing.
Everyone in that area is being encouraged to present for testing, even if they have no symptoms.
Similar wastewater alerts have been issued for Footscray, Seddon, West Footscray, South Kingsville and Spotswood in the west.
In Melbourne's north, authorities are concerned about wastewater detections at Coburg, Coburg North, Fawkner, Hadfield, Preston, Reservoir and Thomastown.
COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar has said he believes the outbreak can still be brought under control, but only if symptomatic or potentially exposed Victorians present for testing.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, he issued a plea to those in the Newport area, where the current outbreak was first detected and is continuing to spread.
"We are reaching out to young people in their 20s and 30s in the Newport and Altona North area – people who are active, who are working, who may be contributing to the spread," Mr Weimar said.
"If you have symptoms, get tested. If you shop on Millers Road or in Newport, check the exposure sites now.
Challenge for Shepparton's essential services
In Shepparton, which is battling the state's most significant regional outbreak, more than 420 healthcare staff have been sent into quarantine as the number of exposure sites in the community grows.
Goulburn Valley Health's chief executive, Matt Sharp, said more help was due to arrive from Melbourne today.
He said the hospital had increased its testing capacity and urged anyone with symptoms to come forward.
AAP: Daniel Pockett
)Priority testing is being carried out today for the Saint Mel's Primary School community, Greater Shepparton Secondary College's McGuire Campus attendees, students of Saint Mary's Mooroopna after-school care program, and anyone who attended Sky Salon Hair Dressing between August 15 and 20.
Shepparton's cluster stands at 44 but that number is expected to grow today.
An online community forum was held last night by Goulburn Valley Health, with thousands of people tuning in for information and to ask questions.
Many businesses across Shepparton are having to alter services as staff remain in isolation, including Coles supermarkets.
Coles said dozens of staff had been affected across its Shepparton, Shepparton South and Mooroopna sites due to the outbreak, and the supermarket giant has reduced trading hours and cut capacity for home delivery and click and collect due to these staff shortages.
The staff shortage has hit as online orders from the thousands of residents in quarantine surged.
Coles told the ABC it was working hard to increase capacity, but said it had been forced to cancel some orders, and encouraged customers in home isolation to send friends and family to pick up their click and collect orders.
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Victoria records 45 new local COVID-19 cases as Pfizer vaccine eligibility expands - ABC News
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