Victoria records no new local coronavirus cases as borders open

For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.

Victoria has recorded no new local coronavirus cases as New Zealand prepared to resume quarantine-free travel with the state.

There were two cases recorded in hotel quarantine on Tuesday.

More than 13,000 COVID-19 test results were processed in the past 24 hours and more than 15,000 people received their vaccine doses.

Victoria recorded one new local coronavirus case on Monday. The person was a primary close contact in the Kings Park apartment complex in Southbank.

Another local coronavirus case was recorded in Victoria at the weekend. The total number of local coronavirus cases in the state as of Tuesday was 51.

Tuesday’s new case came after the Northern Territory revoked its designation of Greater Melbourne as a COVID-19 hotspot on Monday, meaning that visitors to the territory who have passed through the city would no longer need to quarantine on arrival.

Tasmania downgraded Melbourne to low-risk at 12.01am on Tuesday. People from Melbourne who visit the state will also no longer need to quarantine.

Victoria’s travel bubble with New Zealand, which snapped shut during the last lockdown, will resume from 11.59pm on Tuesday after the Ministry of Health in Wellington decided the remaining public health risk was low.

State’s Pfizer vaccine allocation to rise

Tuesday’s COVID-19 numbers come after a spokesperson for federal Health Minister Greg Hunt revealed late on Monday that Victoria’s allocation of Pfizer would increase from 407,000 doses in June to more than 560,000 in July.

Almost all of the increase will be for the state’s general practices, which have had few Pfizer vaccines up until now, with little additional supply for the mass vaccination clinics run by the Victorian government.

The July allocation will include 380,000 doses for the government to distribute and an additional 153,000 for Victorian GPs, taking their monthly total to 180,000 doses. A recent regulation change is paving the way for the vaccinations to occur at medical clinics, by allowing unopened vials to be stored in domestic freezers rather that ultra-cold freezers.

The improved vaccine supply came as GPs called for an advertising campaign to address “the real mess of messages” around the national rollout.

Stay across the most crucial developments related to the pandemic with the Coronavirus Update. Sign up to receive the weekly newsletter.

More to come

With Michael Fowler, Aisha Dow and Rachel Clun

Most Viewed in National

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article