Mildura records two new Covid cases taking region’s total to four

Mildura has recorded another two positive Covid cases taking the region’s tally to four as the testing blitz continues.

An empty Langtree Mall in Mildura amid lockdowns and new cases. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Darren Seiler

Mildura has recorded another two Covid cases taking the region’s tally to four, according to the latest data from the Department of Health.

The first case was a Mildura man who attended the MCG and returned a positive test at the weekend.

Each of the three remaining cases are household contacts of the first case.

The Mildura cases were not among the two in Thursday’s update that were said to be in the community while infectious.

More than 3000 tests had been taken in Mildura in the days after the first positive.

After long wait times, demand for testing eventually eased on Wednesday, allowing Sunraysia Community Health Services to revert back to having one active site.

All those needing to be tested are now being directed to the Mildura Recreation Reserve clinic.

The Old Aerodrome Ovals clinic may be reactivated if demand returns.

Many lining up to get tested in Mildura were on Monday told to go home and isolate. A second clinic has since opened. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Darren Seiler

Covid commander Jeroen Weimar on Tuesday apologised for delays at the clinics, after many experienced severe waits or were told to go home when the line got too long.

Additional staff from Bendigo, the Goulburn Valley and Melbourne were sent to Mildura to help the response.

Sunraysia Community Health Services said test kit numbers were not a concern, with adequate stock available.

The man in his 30s who tested positive initially tested negative last week but presented to Mildura Base Public Hospital on Saturday night.

After testing positive, he became Mildura’s first new case in 465 days.

He attended the Carlton-Geelong AFL match in the MCC reserve on July 10, with two other household members, before returning to Mildura.

As of Thursday morning there were nine Mildura exposure sites classified as Tier 1 and another two listed as Tier 2.

The Mildura Central shopping centre and Caffeine Extraction cafe were removed after initially being listed as exposure sites.

Some sites along the Calder Hwy between Melbourne and Mildura are Tier 2 exposure sites from Sunday, July 11, including at Wycheproof.

Separately to the published list of exposure sites, the hospital has confirmed it was a Tier 1 location and visitors were being restricted.

Hospital chief executive Terry Welch told the ABC there were 45 staff isolating.

Mildura has been added to Victoria’s Commonwealth hotspot declaration.

Many lining up to get tested in Mildura were on Monday told to go home and isolate. A second clinic has since opened. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Darren Seiler

Premier Daniel Andrews said the spread to Mildura showed how far the virus could travel.

“That just confirms for all of us, if we need any, that this thing moves quick, and if it’s a problem anywhere, it’s a problem everywhere,” Mr Andrews said.

Mildura Mayor Jason Modica said the new case was “quite a concern”.

“We’ve been put back on our heels because we have been isolated geographically (from the virus) over the last 15 months,” Councillor Modica told the Herald Sun.

“We didn’t think it was going to come and now that it’s here we have to respond the best way we can.”

Cars lined up at a Mildura Covid testing clinic that was set up in the hours after a positive case emerged.

Mildura Regional Development chief executive Brett Millington said local small business and tourism operators would be experiencing “a significant level of concern and distress”.

“We were somewhat hopeful the lockdown would be shorter in regional Victoria and this will now exacerbate it,” Mr Millington said.

“People have been frustrated with having to lockdown but this is an example of what can happen relatively quickly.”

Mr Millington said Mildura is “fortunate” the lockdown “did happen when it did”.

“In order to stay safe and stay open we need to keep doing the right things.”

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