Geelong records 36 new Covid cases on Sunday, following 59 on Saturday

The Geelong region has recorded 36 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday. It comes as the state hits a crucial vaccine milestone.

Geelong recorded 36 new coronavirus cases amid a statewide drop.

Victoria returned 1036 positive tests on Saturday, with the city listed among the 10 municipalities suffering the biggest increase.

Surf Coast Shire also recorded two new cases, while none were reported across Golden Plains, the Borough of Queenscliffe or Colac-Otway shires.

The state’s vaccination rate of eligible residents aged 16 and over reached the 80 per cent milestone on Sunday.

It is hoped Geelong vaccination rates can receive a boost when a pop-up clinic opens at Corio Village shopping centre next week.

There are 702 people in hospital being treated for the virus, with 28 patients at Geelong Hospital and 13 in ICU.

Barwon South West public health unit director Prof Eugene Athan confirmed patients were from both Geelong and other areas of the state.

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“As case numbers rise in our region, 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,” he said.

“We currently have bookings available for all vaccines at the Community Vaccination Hub in Norlane. We also strongly encourage everyone to come forward and book their second dose as soon as they are eligible to ensure we reach our second dose targets as soon as possible and protect our community.”

Barwon Health announced the Vaccination Hub in Norlane is now offering second dose walk-in appointments.

“Demand has remained strong for vaccination and there are more dose one appointments available,” Prof Athan said.

“Walk-ins are currently available for Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccinations.”

Greater Geelong Covid cases: 59 on Saturday

Greater Geelong recorded 59 new coronavirus cases as regional Victoria reopened to Melbourne on Saturday.

Golden Plains and Surf Coast shires returned seven and four positive tests respectively, according to state government data.

It comes after Victoria recorded 1355 new cases, the lowest daily increase reported in weeks.

A total of eleven people died from the virus in Victoria yesterday, with 747 people in hospital statewide.

Victorian Covid commander Jeroen Weimar said 20 per cent of daily cases reported came from regional Victoria, up from 14 per cent last week.

“We’re seeing an upswing in cases in regional Victoria,” he said.

Mr Weimar urged regional Victorians to get vaccinated and get tested as soon as possible if symptoms appear, particularly in the wake of Melburnians flooding into the regions.

“This is a time when we expect to see ongoing spread and movement of cases across our communities,” he said.

Authorities will no longer hold Covid press conferences every day, officials will front the media when necessary and daily data will be released through government channels.

Barwon South West Public Health Unit director Professor Eugene Athan said there were a number of patients in hospital from both Geelong and across the state.

“As of 9am this morning there were 27 patients in University Hospital Geelong with COVID-19, 12 of whom are in ICU,” he said.

“As case numbers rise in our region, 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.”

Originally published as Geelong records 36 new Covid cases on Sunday, following 59 on Saturday