Weekly COVID news at a glance

1   Victoria’s new hotel quarantine accommodation plan

The Victorian government is continuing to investigate new hotel quarantine accommodation options, with a pet quarantine complex in Mickleham among the locations being considered.

The site, located in Melbourne’s north, was one of a few preferred sites being assessed as an alternative to hotel quarantine. Other locations included Avalon Airport and a youth jail site in Cherry Creek, but a source close to the government told The Age both have now been assessed as being unsuitable.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had previously said the government’s plan is to build cabin-style units, similar to quarantine accommodation currently being used in the Northern Territory. Plans for new facilities emerged as a solution to quarantine issues following repeated transmission leaks of COVID-19 from hotel quarantine in both Victoria and other states.

2   Viral fragments in wastewater found in Vic suburbs

Victorians in Melbourne’s Western and North-Western suburbs are being asked to get COVID-19 tested following the discovery of strong viral fragments in wastewater in the area.

As an extra precaution, health officials have asked 246 close contacts of a recent positive case that arrived in Victoria from Perth to get re-tested for the virus despite previously returning a negative result.

COVID-19 viral fragments have also appeared in wastewater in several locations including. Benalla, where there have been repeated detections, and several other western, northern, north-western and outer eastern suburbs. Health authorities say the fragments are most likely coming from a non-infectious person who is shedding the virus from a previous infection. People in the areas of concern should continue practicing COVID-safe rules and get tested if they show symptoms of the virus.

More information on those locations can be found on the Department of Health website, or by calling the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

3   New grant program for manufacturing businesses

A new Victorian government grant program is supporting manufacturers in expanding their businesses.

Manufacturing businesses can apply for up to $500-thousand-dollars in support as part of the Business Competitiveness Program. The Victorian Government said the funding is to help manufacturers implement new technologies and processes, covering up to a third of project costs.

Applications for a grant can be made through the BUSINESS.VIC.GOV.AU/MIDF webpage.

4   Extension of funding for telehealth medical appointments 

The federal government has announced it will extend funding for telehealth medical appointments until the end of the year.

The government quickly rolled out telehealth subsidies in March 2020 as the pandemic took hold, so Australians could continue to access health services during lockdowns via phone or video call appointments. The Federal Budget in May will see a six-month extension of the Medicare arrangements in place, allowing people to continue to have subsidised telehealth appointments.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt made the announcement and noted that telehealth appointments have been ‘life-changing’ for Australians over the past year, allowing people to continue to access health services safely from their homes.

5   AstraZeneca affected the vaccine rollout plan

Vaccination rates remain low across Australia after the program reset in early April due to issues raised with side-effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

While the AstraZeneca vaccine is no longer recommended for people aged under 50, it is being recommended for those over 50 and will be available to that sector of the public from next week through GP clinics.

The federal government has now abandoned all its initial targets for the rollout which were already falling short. In total, just over 2-million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have so far been delivered nationwide.

6   Reliance has dropped on the AstraZeneca vaccine

People in disability care homes with complex needs will now receive Pfizer vaccines, regardless of their age, as Australia reduces its reliance on the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will also be given priority for Pfizer shots. But those who have already received their initial AstraZeneca vaccine dose will still receive their second shot.

Doctors are now urging the government to change the current distribution of vaccine doses, with some GPs receiving too many doses while others don’t get enough.

National Cabinet has decided GPs will receive more doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, while Pfizer is primarily being used for frontline workers at state vaccination hubs.