Victoria records two new local COVID-19 cases, as Pfizer walk-ins paused
The Liberals are promising Melburnians will ride all day for just $2. Photo: AAP
Victoria has recorded two new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, as the state puts a pause on walk-in Pfizer vaccinations following a surge in bookings.
Both new cases are primary close contacts of existing cases, with no community exposure during their infectious period, Victorian health authorities said.
The results were detected from among 16,932 test results processed on Sunday, when 13,764 vaccination doses were delivered at state-run sites.
Tweet from @VicGovDH
On Sunday, Professor Sutton said the state remained on track for an easing of restrictions this week, but urged more people to present for testing amid concern some COVID-19 cases could be flying under the radar.
An office and apartment building on Freshwater Place in Southbank was added on Sunday as an exposure site for a range of times across Thursday and Friday last week.
Authorities are still trying to figure out how a handful of mystery cases are linked to the outbreak, but on Sunday Professor Sutton said there were “early signs of likely links” for some of them.
It is still unclear how the virus jumped from a Wollert man who caught COVID-19 in South Australia to the City of Whittlesea outbreak and how an Arcare Maidstone aged care worker became infected.
Pfizer walk-ins paused at vaccination hubs
The state’s vaccination hubs have announced a pause on walk-ins for the Pfizer vaccine from Monday, after authorities flagged demand was exceeding supply.
In the Sunday evening COVID-19 update, health authorities said about 50,000 people had booked in for their first Pfizer dose this week.
Tweet from @StVincentsMelb
“This is the number of first doses which can be administered while also delivering second doses for tens of thousands of others,” the update said.
“Every first dose booking already in the system for this coming week will proceed.
“Tens of thousands of eligible Victorians are able to book an appointment for their first dose of Pfizer from next week with appointment times progressively being made available.”
On its vaccination website, the Department of Health said walk-in appointments were not available for Pfizer, but were still available at some sites for AstraZeneca.
