Super spreader links feared as 10,000 Victorians refuse virus testing
Over 10,000 people have refused to be tested for coronavirus in Melbourne’s hotspot suburbs as 66 new cases across the state were confirmed.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the refusal was “disappointing” and urged residents to get tested as she believes the mass outbreak in Victoria could be linked to a “super spreader”.
"There seems to be a single source of infection for many of the cases that have gone across the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne," Mikakos said.
The health minister revealed that an investigation is currently underway to understand the reasoning behind the mass refusal of testing, but reassured the community that 24,000 tests had been undertaken yesterday.
"That might be for a range of reasons, including that they may have already been tested in a different location, we are analysing that data to see exactly why people are refusing, but it is concerning that some people believe that coronavirus is a conspiracy or that it won't impact on them," she said.
"So what I want to stress here is that coronavirus is a very contagious virus.
"It can go through your family very quickly, it can affect your neighbours, your loved ones, and your entire community.
"So for those individuals in those communities who have not yet been tested, we are urging them to get tested as quickly as possible."
The hotspot postcodes with the highest number of new cases as of yesterday included 3064, 3047, 3021.
Victoria has recorded another 66 cases of coronavirus, bringing the states total to 2368.
There are currently 442 active cases across the state.