Three new community cases of COVID-19 discovered in Melbourne, ending 61-day virus-free streak

Victoria has recorded no further COVID-19 cases overnight after the discovery of three new community-acquired cases within metropolitan Melbourne ended the state's 61-day virus-free streak.

Two women in their 40s and one woman in her 70s have tested positive yesterday to the virus, in the suburbs of Mitcham, Hallam and Mentone. All three are in isolation.

Extensive contact tracing is underway to more than 40 primary close contacts of the three women and a growing list of high-risk locations are being identified, Victoria's Commander of COVID-19 response Jeroen Weimar said last night.

READ MORE: Victoria's borders remain shut to Sydneysiders for New Year's Eve

Anyone who has visited any of these locations must get tested and isolate for 14 days or until they get a negative result:

Doveton: Holy Family Parish Doveton Catholic church — 26/12/20, 4pm-6pm

Fountain Gate Shopping Centre: Kmart, Big W, Target, Millers, King of Gifts, Lacoste — 26/12/20, 9am-11am

Glen Waverley: Century City Walk and Mocha Jo's — 28/12/20, 1.30pm-5pm

Oakleigh: Katialo restaurant, Eaton Mall — 28/12/20, 7pm-8,15pm

Mentone: Mentone/Parkdale Beach — 27/12/20, 10am-4.30pm

An ongoing list of exposure sites will be updated live on Victoria's Department of Health & Human Services website here.

Major operation underway

It is believed that the cases may be linked to a recent outbreak of cases in New South Wales.

Mr Weimar said Victoria state was deploying its full outbreak plan.

"We have three cases that are self-isolating at home and are being supported and monitored by the Department of Health and Human Services," Mr Weimar said.

"We have been in this position before and we are deploying our full outbreak approach around these cases.

"Extensive contact tracing is underway and as a result there are currently more than 40 primary close contacts that are being supported to isolate immediately."

Mr Weimar said discovering the cases was only possible because people came forward to be tested.

"We are so thankful that these people did the right thing and got tested. We always knew this virus had us in a precarious position and we need to make sure we do everything we can to stamp out any further transmissions," Mr Weimar said.

"Now more than ever people should not let down their guard. Maintain physical distancing, practice good hand hygiene. Stay at home if you're unwell and most of all get tested if you have any symptoms at all."

Victoria expands NSW exposure areas for quarantine requirements

Victoria has joined the Northern Territory in listing additional NSW regions as hotspots after 18 new locally acquired cases of coronavirus were detected in Sydney.

The Victorian Government has given anyone who has been in or visited the Blue Mountains or Wollongong regions from December 27 until 11.59pm on December 31 to enter Victoria.

Anyone intending to return to Victoria from these areas before 11.59pm tonight must apply for a new travel permit through Service Victoria, must get tested within 24 hours of returning to Victoria, and must self-quarantine at home for 14 days from when they last left the region.

READ MORE: New cluster in Sydney's inner west among 18 new COVID-19 cases

Nobody who has visited these areas will be able to enter Victoria after December 31 until further notice.

Anyone currently in Victoria who has been in Wollongong or the Blue Mountains since December 27 is urged to get tested and stay at home until a negative test result is received.

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348

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