NATALIE BARR:
Now, Melbourne's COVID crisis has deepened this morning after health authorities confirm thousands of AFL supporters were potentially exposed to the virus. A fan who attended Sunday's clash between Collingwood and Port at the MCG is one of nine cases in the growing cluster.
DAVID KOCH:
A snap lockdown hasn't been ruled out as contact tracers search for the missing link with a man who contracted COVID in South Australian hotel quarantine.
NATALIE BARR:
Australia's Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan joins us now from Canberra. Morning to you. Tell us, how serious is this development and is it likely that the fan passed the virus on to other patrons at the MCG?
ALISON MCMILLAN:
Yeah, good morning, Nat. Obviously, yes, we've always known that COVID hasn't gone away and that we expect we'll continue to see outbreaks like this, but I think we're seeing now what's become a well-practised process of contact tracing, of testing, of trying to contain that spread as quickly as we can. Obviously the football keeps all of its records really well now, so they'll be able to contact those people who were around that person who was positive. And football's outside, so the chances of transmission are a little lower than they would be if they were indoors. We might expect to see a few more cases in the coming days, but certainly, Victoria is turning its attention and its contacts tracing and testing very quickly to contain this outbreak.
DAVID KOCH:
Do you think there is a need to up the restrictions? A few have been introduced now, do you think it could get tighter?
ALISON MCMILLAN:
I think that what we'll see of coming days is Professor Brett Sutton and his team continue to look at what they're finding through their contact tracing and they'll make those changes and measures where they see them necessary. I know that they've reintroduced mask wearing and limited household numbers. Kochie, those are the places we know we do see transmission so what we're asking people is to please comply with what they've been asked to do.
DAVID KOCH:
Yep.
NATALIE BARR:
Okay. Let's hope they do. Thank you Alison for your time.
ALISON MCMILLAN:
Thanks, good morning.
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