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NEARLY 2500 people are in isolation in Victoria because they are COVID-19 positive, or close contacts of cases.
The Victorian government has thanked the community for their response to the latest outbreak, saying only through mass effort could new cases be identified quickly.
More than 180,000 COVID-19 tests have been taken in Victorian since January 1, 30 per cent of which have been in Melbourne's south and south east.
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Victoria reported no new cases on Thursday, the first time since December 29, 2020.
A mystery case reported on Wednesday has been genomically linked to Sydney's Northern Beaches outbreak, but it is not clear where the case acquired COVID-19.
11.25am
Premier Daniel Andrews has returned from holidays and addressed media this morning, praising Victorian's for their high turnout to testing centres following fresh coronavirus outbreaks in Victoria.
He said while it was great to record zero COVID-19 cases int he past 24 hours, it was important to remain vigilant.
"To do so many tests and have no new cases is a testament to the detective work of our COVID teams," he said.
"Test, track and isolate only works if people with symptoms and others who are called to be tested come forward and get tested. So we're thankful for the nearly 33,000 Victorians who did so (in the past 24 hours).
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"When you think about it we have done 142,000 tests, almost 30,000 a day, over the last five days. Thank you to each Victorian who has come forward and got tested."
The high testing response since yesterday is the result of the MCG and Chadstone Shopping Centre being listed as potential COVID-19 acquisition sites yesterday.
Mr Andrews said the Vermont South case who visited Chadstone stores on Boxing Day and attended day two of the Boxing Day Test (on December 27) had been genomically linked to the Northern Beaches outbreak in Sydney.
"The message again today is if you have been approached to get tested after sitting in zone five of the MCG or if you visited any shops at Chadstone, please come forward get tested," Mr Andrews said.
"If you're unwell and have symptoms compatible with the virus, please get tested as soon as you register symptoms."
The Zara store in Chadstone has been added to the list of stores that are considered a possible source of infection.
Other stores included Culture Kings, Huffer, JD Sports, Jay Jays, H&M, Uniqlo, Myer, Superdry, Footlocker and Dumplings Plus.
Mr Andrews also defended the decision to close the Victorian border.
Mr Andrews said acting premier Jacinta Allan signed off on the decision but that he was fully briefed and supported the decision based on public health advice.
"To every Victorian in NSW, the border was closed for the best reason - to protect Victoria from a third wave," he said.
"The public health advice remains that a permit and exemption system should be in place. We hope those settings can change very soon.
"I do appreciate this is a challenging time... Being stuck in another state is unpleasant but that discomfort and inconvenience is nothing compared to the virus getting away from us and going back into a situation where there are widespread restrictions across Melbourne or the state. To do otherwise would be wrong."
Mr Andrews said he will also attend the national cabinet meeting tomorrow.
"Victoria has led the charge on many issues being considered at national cabinet tomorrow," he said. "I am back to make sure those things we have led, become part of the national response.
"We believe way hotel quarantine staff being tested daily is exactly right thing to do. That's something being raised in the national cabinet tomorrow.
"There needs to be a comprehensive strategy to manage this (virus) risk. We will never make it risk free but it has to be a strategy that deals multiple risk positions with and (offers) multiple solutions to ensure this super infectious (UK) strain of virus doesn't get into the Victorian community and the Australian community."
8.30am
There have been zero new cases in Victoria since yesterday
The Department of Health and Human Service released its latest update this morning which also showed Victoria's active coronavirus cases have dropped to 38 from 41.
In the past 24 hours 32,767 test results were received.
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Yesterday, the state government listed the MCG and Chadstone Shopping Centre as potential COVID-19 acquisition sites after a man in his 30s tested positive after attending the locations.
They urged people to get tested if they had visited Chadstone on Boxing Day between 6am and 2pm or zone five in the MCG's Great Southern Stand on December 27 between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
"The man was not infectious at the Boxing Day sales or the MCG," Victorian deputy health officer Allen Cheng said. "We are more worried about who might have given (the virus) to him at those sites."
To view the list of exposure sites and high-risk locations visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/case-locations-and-outbreaks.
For more information, phone the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398.
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