Victoria records 324 new COVID-19 cases as state trials new nasal swab for children

By Rachel EddieUpdated September 9, 2021 â€" 1.13pmfirst published at 8.38am

Victoria has recorded 324 new cases of COVID-19, the most cases in more than a year, as the state’s health authorities revealed plans to trial a new nasal swab to test for the virus in children.

Just under one-third of Thursday’s cases â€" 107 â€" have been linked to existing patients and clusters. The source of the other 217 infections remain under investigation.

The device, Rhinomed Junior, sits at the base of the nose and collects virus particles.

The Department of Health said 54,242 test results came back in the last 24 hours.

One other case was also recorded in hotel quarantine. There are now 2166 active cases in the state.

Victoria will partake in a trial of Rhinomed Junior.

Thursday’s figures amount to the highest daily figure so far this outbreak, beating the previous peak on Monday and Tuesday when 246 cases were recorded both days.

The figures come as Health Minister Martin Foley announced a clinical trial of a new medical device to swab children to test for COVID-19 at The Royal Children’s Hospital.

The device, Rhinomed Junior, sits at the base of the nose and collects virus particles. It comes in different colours and designs such as a moustache or cat nose to reduce anxiety for children.

About 250 children, aged 4 to 18, will trial the device for six weeks.

“Taking a medical test can be a frightening experience for some kids, but as we know, testing is critical in limiting the spread of COVID-19 among young Victorians,” Mr Foley said.

The state’s COVID-19 figures also come after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced NSW was set to move out of lockdown in October, after the state hits 70 per cent full vaccination.

In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews has made clear zero cases is no longer achievable with the Delta variant of COVID-19 circulating in metropolitan Melbourne. Steps out of lockdown for the city now also depend on the state reaching vaccination targets.

The Premier has pledged to mildly relax some restrictions when that figure reaches 70 per cent in coming weeks.

Shepparton also remains in lockdown, but Mr Andrews said he should have announcements for the regional city next week.

No COVID patients in Victorian hospitals fully vaccinated

Mr Foley said not one of the 111 COVID-19 patients in hospital in Victoria had been fully vaccinated.

He said 89 per cent of people in hospital have had no vaccine while 11 per cent had one dose.

Thirty-two people are in intensive care while 19 people need a ventilator.

A vaccinated aged care worker at a facility in Gladstone Park in Melbourne’s northwest had also tested positive to COVID-19, Mr Foley said, although no residents or staff members have contracted the virus.

Acting Chief Health Officer Professor Ben Cowie said 63.2 per cent of eligible Victorians had received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

There were 81,000 bookings made through the state system on Wednesday, but more than 7000 appointments are available for a first dose of AstraZeneca over the next seven days.

Concern over spread of the virus in city’s north

Professor Cowie said transmission in Melbourne’s northern suburbs remained a concern, with opening hours at three testing sites in the area extended.

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