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Victoria has recorded five coronavirus cases in returning travelers, the first confirmed infections in hotel quarantine since the program resumed in the state.
The state has its 43rd birthday. Recorded days in a row without a locally acquired case of COVID-19.
Authorities had warned that it was inevitable that there would be COVID-19 cases once flights began on Jan.. December would be resumed.
The hotel quarantine program received its first international travelers on Monday after a « reset » following the state’s second wave.
The vast majority of infections in the second wave were due to failures in the state system, with infections from travelers spreading to security forces and into the community.
The program resumed after an investigation of the system in early November presented an interim report and its recommendations.
The program is now being led by a dedicated agency, COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV), overseen by Corrections Commissioner Emma Cassar.
One of the recommendations of the investigation, a quarantine system for private users, is not implemented because it does not correspond to the national approach.
However, the system has undergone major overhauls since the end of June, including a stricter testing regime and rules to prevent employees from working in multiple locations.
The final report of the committee of inquiry, which aims to remedy the main shortcomings of the previous hotel quarantine system, is due to be delivered shortly before Christmas.
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Coronavirus, Victoria, quarantine
World news – AU – Victoria records first coronavirus infections since hotel quarantine was resumed
Ref: https://www.abc.net.au
