Australian Defence Force to help in Victoria to contain Covid-19 outbreaks

The Australian Defence Force and other states have been called in to help Victoria’s efforts to contain coronavirus cases according to AAP reports.

The state has seen a spike in Covid-19 infections in the past week, with 20 more cases and a death recorded on Wednesday. An 80-year-old man in died from the virus, and more than 20,000 tests were conducted.

The ADF, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland have been called in to help.

Community engagement in the local government areas of Brimbank, Casey, Cardinia, Darebin, Hume and Moreland has been ramped up, including door-knocking, after they were identified as coronavirus hotspots.

The six local government areas have been identified as Hume, Brimbank, Moreland, Cardinia, Darebin and Casey.  The  specific suburbs affected by coronavirus outbreaks are expected to be published as health authorities urge people to avoid the areas.

Meanwhile, in NSW, 10 new cases were confirmed in the 24 hours to 8.00pm yesterday, but all of those are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned NSW residence against travelling to Victoria, after the Australian Health Protection Principle Committee yesterday recommended that people in the six local government areas in Victoria identified as hotspots reconsider any planned travel to other areas.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has also commanded NSW accommodation vendors to bar any travellers from Melbourne as as coronavirus cases surge in Victoria and the community transmission of coronavirus has become rampant.

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos earlier this week said no stay-at-home directions had been issued for the hotspot areas, but geographical lockdowns would not be ruled out in future.  

Premier Daniel Andrews also echoed the potential strategy, claiming the National Cabinet's roadmap out of the coronavirus pandemic had included