Health authorities have listed the Melbourne Cricket Ground and stores in the Chadstone Shopping Centre as potential acquisition sites in an attempt to establish the mystery source of new COVID cases.
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Victoria recorded three new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, with just one coming from a local source and the other two acquired overseas.
It takes the number of active cases in the state to 41.Testing lifted for a third straight day, with 37,509 swabs processed on Tuesday.
In a statement the health deaprtment said a man in his 30s, was not infectious while at the two named sites, but there is potential he acquired the virus while there.
The DHHS said the man developed symptoms on 30 December and the department was notified of his positive test on 5 January. Given he has not visited any high-risk Victorian exposure sites or travelled to New South Wales, a number of acquisition sources are being investigated.
The man was present at the MCG on 27 December, the second day of the Boxing Day test and is currently isolating.
"We're encouraging anyone who was in The Great Southern Stand, zone 5 of the MCG between 12.30pm and 3.30pm on 27 December, to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result," the statement read.
"He was not infectious when he attended and is not linked to any other case or to the Black Rock Restaurant Outbreak. The MCG is being investigated as a potential source for the infection."
"A number of close contacts have already been identified and contacted and testing of these people has been undertaken. Contact tracing interviews are continuing to ensure we identify all primary and secondary close contacts.
"The decision to identify the MCG and Chadstone Shopping Centre has not been made lightly and is precautionary to ensure people are informed and able to take appropriate actions."
"A COVID safe event plan was in place for the match and the ticketing allocation system in place has enabled effective contact tracing. The venue also utilised the Victorian Government's QR code system in an additional measure to support contact tracing.
The department is working with Melbourne Cricket Club to contact ticket holders in the relevant area directly and to ensure that all relevant public health actions have been undertaken.
Other sites the department listed for the source of his infection have also been identified at Chadstone Shopping Centre on 26 December between 6am-2pm. These include the following stores: Culture Kings, Huffer, JD Sports, Jay Jays, H&M, Uniqlo, Myer, Superdry, Footlocker and Dumplings Plus.
DHHS also added these exposure sites to its public notices.
- 30 December 12-12.45pm - The Nike Company, 134 Buckhurst St, South Melbourne
- 30 December 1-1.30pm - Culture Kings Melbourne, 19-25 Russell St, Melbourne
- 30 December 6.30-7pm - Tamarind 8, 7b/420 Princes Highway, Narre Warren
Anyone who visited these sites is also encouraged to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result: