Greater Geelong, Surf Coast record new Covid cases, with 44 in hospital and 15 in ICU

Several more Covid cases have been identified at a Geelong chicken processing plant, while it has been revealed more than 40 coronavirus patients are being treated in Geelong hospital. The region had 11 new cases on Monday.

More than 40 patients are in Geelong hospital due to Covid, as new cases were recorded across the region.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said as of 9am Monday, there were 44 patients in University Hospital Geelong with COVID-19, including 15 in the ICU.

“Of the 44 patients, five are no longer infectious but remain unwell in hospital, with two in ward beds and three in the ICU,” Prof Athan said.

“In keeping with our role as a Covid streaming hospital, the inpatients come from Geelong and across the state.

“We are working closely with the private hospitals in Geelong that provide care to a limited number of public emergency and high priority elective patients in the inpatient ward and ICU.”

It comes as nine new cases were reported for Greater Geelong on Monday, and two for the Surf Coast.

Health department figures showed Greater Geelong had 119 active cases and the Surf Coast 11.

Golden Farms Turosi chicken plant has had more cases. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Prof Athan said Golden Farms chicken processing plant at Breakwater had nine Covid cases, up from three first identified last week.

Victoria reported 1612 new locally-acquired cases on Monday.

It comes as new data released Monday revealed the Geelong region is surging towards a vaccinaton rate beyond 95 per cent.

Newtown Primary School was last week listed as an exposure site after two children tested positive.

Prof Athan said students had now returned, aside from the affected class and two children who were still required to isolate.

“We ask the community to remain vigilant and to get tested at the earliest sign of COVID-19 symptoms or following attendance at an exposure site,” Prof Athan said.

For a list of testing sites and hours, go to https://www.barwonhealth.org.au/coronavirus/where-to-get-tested.

Originally published as Greater Geelong, Surf Coast record new Covid cases, with 44 in hospital and 15 in ICU