WHAT WE KNOW
– A positive COVID-19 case was reported in the Gannawarra Shire on Tuesday, September 28.
– The positive case is a health care worker.
– There were 867 new positive cases in Victoria up to midnight on Monday, September 27.
– The infected person visited Woolworths Kerang on Saturday, September 25 between 3.22pm and 4.20pm. It is a Tier 2 exposure site (get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result).
– Northern District Community Health (NDCH) and Bendigo Health set up a COVID-19 testing drive-through at Riverside Park, Kerang.
– In total, 194 people were tested on Tuesday – 136 at the pop-up site, and 58 at the NDCH testing clinic.
– Testing will resume at 9am Wednesday. Due to wet weather forecast, walk-in testing will be held at the Kerang Basketball Stadium on Maxwell Street.
EXCLUSIVE
THE COVID-19 infected person is a health care worker, the Health Department has confirmed.
The local public health unit is investigating the acquisition source, and supporting the case to isolate.
It’s unclear if the person worked while infected, however Woolworths Kerang has been identified as a Tier 2 exposure site.
The case shopped on September 25 between 3.22pm and 4.20pm.
Health service running drive-through testing site
NORTHERN District Community Health (NDCH) chief executive officer Mandy Hutchinson told the Gannawarra Times the service was running a pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic at Riverside Park in Kerang on Tuesday..
“We encourage everyone who was at the exposure site to get tested today if they can, but we’ll have the (Bendigo Health) Rapid Response Team here all week,” Ms Hutchinson said.
“You can drive-through without a booking.
“NDCH will still have our clinic (34 Fitzroy Street, in Kerang) from 11am, but you will have to book in.”
Ms Hutchinson encouraged anyone who was at the exposure site or experiencing symptoms to get tested on Tuesday, and for those who were anxious about having the virus to get tested on Wednesday.
Her message to the community was that when there was a positive COVID-19 case in the Gannawarra Shire, the person was always careful not to spread the virus.
“This time around, it feels like it will be the same situation,” she said.
“You don’t need to know too much about people in these circumstances as they didn’t mean to get COVID-19, so be kind and careful and look after the vulnerable people.
“And, check-in to ensure everyone is OK.”
Ms Hutchinson said it was a timely reminder to continue wearing a mask, social distance, wash your hands, and to get vaccinated.
“We’ve still got the places to get vaccinated in Kerang, Cohuna and Swan Hill,” she said.
“If you haven’t been vaccinated, get vaccinated.”
Ms Hutchinson said NDCH has requested more vaccine supply.
“We think there will be a greater demand for vaccinations – and for the Bendigo Health team to come up as we are short-staffed,” she said.
“We’re doing as much as we can – in the capacity that we’ve got to do at the moment.”
A spokeswoman from SHDH said the drive-through COVID-19 testing site at McCallum Street in Swan Hill would continue to operate from 9am to 1pm daily.
EARLIER:
A POSITIVE COVID-19 case has been identified in Kerang, with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services confirming Woolworths Kerang as a tier two exposure site.
Deputy secretary of engagement and delivery in the COVID-19 Public Health Team, Kate Matson, said the acquisition of the Gannawarra case was unknown.
Shoppers who visited the supermarket on Saturday, September 25, between 3.22pm and 4.20pm, are advised to get tested as soon as possible, monitor for symptoms, and isolate until they receive a negative result.
A spokesman for the DHHS said further details on the case were under investigation.
Bendigo Health’s Rapid Response Team is running a drive-through clinic on Tuesday, September 28 at Riverside Park in Kerang from 1.30pm, where those who have been potentially exposed can get tested.
Other testing clinics in the area are at Northern District Community Health Medical Clinic in Kerang (by appointment) and the Swan Hill District Health drive-through testing site on McCallum Street in Swan Hill, which is open from 9am to 1pm daily (no appointment needed).
