In a situation as time critical as a pandemic, that Pollyanna-ish belief that everyone is working to the one goal is almost a given.
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That is ... until it isn't. More often than not in these unprecedented times it's a drop-the-ball moment that has disastrous knock-on effects. Probably no need to remind anyone but ... hello, Ruby Princess.
Today it emerged that it took more than a week for the Cedar Meats abattoir to give Victorian health authorities a full list of workers potentially exposed to COVID-19.
The first case was identified on April 24, and another two days later before more followed and eventually topped out at 111 cases in late May.
But it wasn't until May 4 that comprehensive contact tracing of all staff and visitors was shared with authorities.
Similarly, federal authorities weren't properly notified about a coronavirus infection at St Basil's Homes for the Aged in the Melbourne suburb of Fawkner, AAP reports.
In the same Senate inquiry, federal health officials said they didn't become aware of the infection, which caused the outbreak tied to 20 deaths and 139 infections, until the state government notified them on July 14 - five days after the staff member reported contracting the disease to management.
Victoria recorded 439 new cases on Tuesday. Sadly, 11 people have died overnight, all residents of aged care facilities. To date, 147 people have died from coronavirus across the state.
And Premier Daniel Andrews announced new stinging hip-pocket measures to make people think twice about whether they can get away with COVID misbehavior plus hundreds more boots on the road to monitor the compliance.
NSW Health said there were 12 new cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm Monday, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 3,620.
Meanwhile, they're taking no chances in WA where dozens of Australian Defence Force reservists have been provided to help manage security at the hotels where returned overseas travellers are quarantined.
Premier Mark McGowan says the evidence suggests WA's hotel quarantine system is working well: "We have a very comprehensive arrangement in our hotels to make sure that we don't have any glitches or problems emerge from hotel quarantine."
Speaking of problems, probably best not to mention the dozens of passengers and crew from a luxury Norwegian cruise liner who have tested positive for COVID-19, eh? Oh dear, back to the beginning we go.
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