Two Melbourne primary schools were shut on Monday after some of the students tested positive for COVID-19, said the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
In a statement, the authorities confirmed that two students from St Dominic's School in Broadmeadows were found to be infected with the novel coronavirus, and one of them is said to have been infected already while participating in classes.
"Testing will be undertaken for students and teachers who were at the school from May 26 to June 3," the statement said.
School Shut for Three Days
In response, the school will be closed for three days to enable contact tracing and deep cleaning. Pakenham Springs Primary School also in Victoria state was shut down on Monday after two students contracted COVID-19, reported Xinhua news agency.
The school required all students and staff who have attended the school to remain at home while contact tracing is underway. Victoria state recorded 12 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday. All the positive cases among students were linked to an extended family outbreak in Melbourne's northern and southeastern suburbs.
Other Outbreaks Also Identified In Melbourne
Another outbreak was identified with two new cases linked to a patient of Monash Health. One of the new cases is a healthcare worker. The health service is racing to contact all staff and patients who may have been close contacts of the healthcare worker.
In addition, a young woman who attended Black Lives Matter protest in Melbourne on June 6 also tested positive for the virus. The source of infection is still under investigation, but at this stage there were no links to the previous infected patient who attended the protest.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton urged anyone who attended the march to remain vigilant and should isolate at home and get tested if symptoms develop.
(With inputs from agencies)
