Victoria has recorded five coronavirus cases in returned travellers, the first confirmed infections in hotel quarantine since the program resumed in the state.

The state has recorded its 43rd day in a row without a locally acquired case of COVID-19.

There were 8,737 test results received, the Department of Health and Human Services said.

The five hotel quarantine cases, all acquired overseas, are the only active infections in the state.

Deputy Chief Health Officer for COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria, Ben Cowie, said the cases were two men, in their 30s and 50s, and three women, in their 20s, 30s and 50s.

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The hotel quarantine program received its first international travellers on Monday after a “reset” in the wake of the state’s second wave.

There were 735 people in the hotel system by 11:00pm on Friday, and Professor Cowie said it was expected more people would return positive tests in the days to come.

“We would anticipate that this is something Victorians are going to have to be prepared for, that we’re going to get more cases diagnosed in hotel quarantine, for people who are safely in quarantine,” he said.

is not being implemented as it is not in line with the national approach.

But the system has seen a significant overhaul since it stopped taking travellers in late June, including a stricter testing regime and rules to prevent staff working across multiple sites.

Professor Cowie said there had been more than 2,000 tests done on staff working in the system since Monday.

The board of inquiry’s final report, which is due to address the major failings of the previous hotel quarantine scheme, is due to be handed down just before Christmas.

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