Geelong records eight new Covid cases as Norlane aged care worker tests positive

Another Colac abattoir has recorded a positive Covid case, while Geelong hospital is now treating 27 patients, including seven in ICU.

Eight new Covid cases have been recorded in Geelong.

Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton said the new local cases were mostly known close contacts but one was unlinked and under investigation.

Golden Plains, Surf Coast and Colac Otway each recorded one new case

There were 27 patients in Geelong hospital with Covid on Monday, seven of which were in ICU.

“In keeping with our role as a Covid streaming hospital the inpatients come from regional Victoria, and Melbourne,” Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said.

The number is up from 24 Barwon Health reported on Friday, which included 22 patients from Melbourne.

Victoria reported 1377 new locally acquired cases on Monday.

Another Colac abattoir records Covid case

A worker from the M.C Herd Corio abattoir tested returned a positive result on Thursday night after routine surveillance testing.

“All other employees, more than 315 people, were tested on Friday as part of our Covid Safe Plan and all returned a negative result,” M.C. Herd operations manager Angelo Lauricella said.

“Based on our testing results, our high vaccination rates and a deep clean of our site we were given clearance by Department of Health to return to work on Monday, October 4.

“We have been actively working with the health department and Barwon Health to assist with contract tracing.”

Close contacts have been directed by the health department to continue isolating and will not return to work until day 13 testing returns a negative result.

It’s understood the infected worker is fully vaccinated and isolating.

Geelong aged care worker positive for Covid

A Geelong aged care worker has been diagnosed with Covid.

Aged care provider Japara confirmed a worker from Vonlea Manor in Norlane tested positive for the virus last week.

A Japara spokeswoman said all other staff and residents had been tested and returned negative results.

Thirty-eight residents live at the facility.

The spokeswoman said all staff and 97 per cent of residents were fully vaccinated against Covid.

Vonlea Manor

Meanwhile, the Australian Lamb Company abattoir in Colac has closed due to an outbreak.

The organisation would not say how many workers tested positive, but said health authorities have confirmed there was no evidence so far of transmission at ALC’s Colac site and that positive cases in Colac were due to community transmission.

“Although we have a small number of cases, the exposure of our workers to community

transmission is of major concern,” ALC said.

Australian Lamb Company in Colac. Picture: Alan Barber

“Consequently, in consultation with DHHS and Barwon Health, we have moved to shut-

down our facility to protect our workforce and limit the spread.

“We will use the down time productively to continue to vaccinate our workers.”

A major outbreak occurred at the Colac abattoir in 2020.

ALC said it expected to have 85 per cent of its workforce fully vaccinated by Wednesday.

Victoria reported 1377 new locally acquired cases on Monday.

Originally published as Geelong records eight new Covid cases as Norlane aged care worker tests positive