Victoria records no new local coronavirus cases as critical testing window narrows

Victoria has entered a critical two-day period that will determine the scale of any COVID spread in the state, following a positive case in the community.

The state recorded no new local cases on Thursday despite 84 people being deemed close contacts of a man who tested positive after completing hotel quarantine.

Acting Premier James Merlino said on Thursday that 67 people hadn’t contracted the virus after coming into contact with a Melbourne man who caught the virus in hotel quarantine in Adelaide.

He said a further 48 people were expected to receive their results within the next 24 to 36 hours.

“The broad message today is pretty positive,” Mr Merlino said.

“We know the source was South Australian hotel quarantine, so we’re not chasing an unknown source.

“So so far, so good.”

The state undertook 21,382 tests over 24 hours.

One new case was reported for the state in hotel quarantine

The Melbourne man who tested positive on Tuesday had arrived in Australia from COVID-ravaged India and caught the virus in hotel quarantine.

The man, aged in his 30s, had completed his isolation in South Australia after returning to Australia from India via the Maldives on April 19.

He returned to his Wollert home in Melbourne’s north on May 4 and developed symptoms four days later.

All three of his primary household contacts have so far tested negative.

At least 16 of 28 patrons and staff who attended the Curry Vault Indian restaurant in the CBD on Friday night have tested negative.

When asked if authorities were considering fining businesses or individuals over failing to use the state’s QR system, Mr Merlino said options were currently being investigated.

He said there had been a ‘serious challenge’ in the public’s uptake of the QR system, as a feeling of complacency set in.

“The issue of compliance in recent times has been a real issue that we’re tackling,” Mr Merlino said.

“We’re looking at all our options to improve the level of compliance and enforcement is one of those things.

“We need to look seriously at what more can we do in regards to ensuring businesses do what they need to do.”

A further 11 of 17 people who attended the Pact Altona North exposure site and five of eight people who attended the Indiagate Epping exposure site have tested negative.

At least 28 people have been identified as close contacts from the Woolworths Epping exposure site, with nine returning negative results so far.

Messages are also being sent to AFL ticket holders returning home on trains after Friday night football as well as registered myki holders linked to two train services on the Craigieburn line that the man travelled on.

Messages have also been sent to 396,000 people who live in communities near the exposure sites.

SA Health has also ordered 10 South Australians who stayed on the same floor as the man in hotel quarantine to complete a further two weeks in isolation.

jack.paynter@news.com.au