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Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says rules on mandatory mask use in Victoria may soon be eased.
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A further change to Victoria’s mask rules was reported, with Victoria’s Chief Health Officer telling a parliamentary inquiry that the state was reaching a point where mandatory wearing rules could be loosened.
Speaking to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee, Professor Brett Sutton said no final decision had been made before Sunday’s expected announcement on the restrictions.
But he said Victoria was reaching a point where mandatory mask use could be further nullified.
“We are clearly going through a phase where the usefulness of masks is becoming less and less,” he said.
“I think, it will be determined this weekend, but we will move on to a stage where the use of masks in public is even more limited.”
“But the recommendation to wear the mask still exists in Australia… it’s sort of insurance for all of us.
“We don’t know if it could come from another foray into the country.”
Health Minister Martin Foley also said the powers of the state of emergency, which expire on Sunday, will be extended.
“Because this is the advice of the public health team and not doing it would see the establishment of the hotel quarantine arrangements collapse on Monday,” he said.
“The hotel’s quarantine powers are based on declaring a state of emergency.”
MELBOURNE WILL BE THE HOME OF THE NATION’S FIRST GENOMIC HUB
A new secret computer program was able to identify the source of previously puzzling mysterious coronavirus cases in a move that is expected to bolster Victoria’s contact tracing system.
Used by state public health investigators since September, the Mystery Case Tracker is designed to reduce hours or even days from the time it takes to identify the source of new COVID-19 cases, limiting the threat of spreading outbreaks.
By taking the information provided during contact tracing interviews with all new cases, the computer program immediately builds a map of all their movements to compare against all known exposure sites, timelines and clusters.
It comes as Victoria recorded her 35th day of zero new coronavirus cases.
8784 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours. No new deaths were recorded.
Developed in-house by Department of Health epidemiologists and public health data experts, the Mystery Case Tracker is believed to be the first program in Australia to generate a digital diagram that maps links between cases, contacts and their movements.
Director of Investigation and Analysis Charles Alpren said the program was instrumental in identifying the source of at least two cases that had baffled investigators, helping to end the state’s second wave.
“It was really successful. It was very exciting when we started using the app, ”said Dr. Alpren.
“It allowed us to pinpoint where we needed to ask more questions or where we needed to be more certain of key events.
“We found things with Mystery Case Tracker that made us want to go check that we weren’t missing anything else.
“This allows us to see the networks and see the broadcast, so we know exactly where we need to focus our efforts.”
During the sometimes exhaustive contact tracing interviews with COVID-19 cases, they are asked to remember all their movements and contacts up to 14 days in advance; the data is entered into the program to produce a map.
While contact tracking still relies on people being honest and accurate in the information they provide, Dr Alpren said the computer-generated mapping makes it faster and easier to see potential links to other cases or deadlines, suggesting further questions that can overcome some mysteries.
Health Minister Martin Foley said the Mystery Case Tracker has enhanced the contact tracking system and would help keep state operations open.
“Staying one step ahead of this incredibly infectious virus means continuing to advance our case and contact tracking systems to keep our community safe,” he said.
“Finding the connection between people, places and times is the key to investigating and managing outbreaks – the team has done an amazing job creating this new tool that allows these investigations to be carried out quickly and reliably.
“We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves and those we love from this virus, whether it’s the public health team that works around the clock, the cases that provide accurate information to help them do their jobs, or any Victorian that it is to stay home and get tested when they are sick – we thank you. ”
NATIONAL HUB OF GENOMICS BASED IN MELBOURNE
Australia’s first genomics hub will be established in Melbourne as part of a $ 60 million project by the state government.
The new facility, the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region, will be set up at the University of Melbourne in collaboration with Illumina research experts.
Up to 150 jobs are expected to be created with the establishment of the hub, Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas said in this morning’s announcement.
“This genomics hub will bring together Australia’s best genomics expertise and technology, delivering better public health outcomes and support in both research and diagnostics,” said Pallas.
“It will provide local researchers with access to world-class technologies and help support the analysis of large amounts of data to better understand the human genome and translate it into new commercial applications.”
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