Regional Victoria expected to be hit with a surge in Covid cases

Regional towns fear Covid cases will soar as Melburnians flock to the country, with one mayor warning “it’s a matter of time” until they’re in trouble.

Sea Lake residents and friends Jenny Simpson and Tracey Wright after no Covid cases have been recorded in Buloke Shire. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Victorian country towns are expecting Covid cases to soar in the coming weeks as Melburnians flock to the regions ahead of the holiday season.

With regional, interstate and international travel restrictions eased, communities in remote areas say it’s a matter of time before the virus creeps into their towns.

In the state’s northwest, Buloke Shire has not had a single Covid case since the pandemic started, but mayor Daryl Warren does not believe that glowing title will last.

“The reality is there will be a case in Buloke as regional Victoria opens up to Melbourne,” he said.

“You can see it now — there’s cases popping up here, there and everywhere.

“It’s only a matter of time.”

With an estimated population of 6000, Buloke Shire has five major towns including Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Sea Lake and Wycheproof.

“We were set up to be Covid free because we have the one thing that many places don’t have, physical distance,” Mr Warren said.

“We weren’t in the situation like some local government areas in Melbourne where there was hesitancy and negativity.

“It’s a unique community and people take things very seriously and adhere to the rules and the advice.”

Bass Coast Health chief executive Jan Child said case numbers in the southeast would increase as the state opened up and less public health measures were in place.

“While everyone else in the community is savouring the thought of opening up, healthcare

settings across the state will be busier than they have ever been before,” she said.

“A daunting prospect, but one we are ready for.”

Gippsland continues to see a rise in infections with Gippsland Region Public Health Unit managing more than 600 active cases.

Latrobe Valley and Baw Baw are the worst hit with multiple tier one exposure sites in the community.

On the border of Victoria and NSW, Echuca is on high alert after two Covid cases were confirmed in an aged care home, and two separate cases visited a secondary college this week.

Two residents at Glanville Village tested positive plunging the facility into lockdown.

Echuca Regional Health acting chief executive Dr Glenn Howlett said there had been an increase in numbers in Campaspe Shire.

Ballan District Health and Care said Covid cases were “escalating” in the Ballan area but chief executive James McComb said infections were contained.

REGIONAL LGA’S WORST HIT

Latrobe – 444 active cases

Greater Shepparton – 415 active cases

Greater Geelong – 363 active cases

Greater Bendigo – 212 active cases

Wodonga – 192 active cases

Baw Baw – 158 active cases

East Gippsland – 114 active cases

Mildura – 108 active cases

*Data recorded by the Department of Health

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