Moreland one of Victoria’s coronavirus hotspots

Moreland is a COVID-19 hotspot in Victoria and the latest data from the DHHS shows cases aren’t slowing down. Here’s what you need to know, and where to get tested.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23: Brunswick East Primary School in Moreland is closed for deep cleaning on June 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Brunswick East Primary School and Keilor Views Primary School in Brimbank were both shut down on Tuesday after students tested positive for COVID-19. Moreland and Brimbank are two of six coronavirus hotspots in Victoria. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Moreland’s continued struggles to cope with culling the outbreak of COVID-19 have been laid bare with cases jumping again on Saturday.

The latest Victorian Department of Health and Human Services data shows Moreland has had 200 total cases of COVID-19.

It means the municipality has suffered the sixth most cases of any local government area in Victoria, and currently has 88 active cases.

There are only be four reasons to be out:

■ shopping for food and supplies

■ care and caregiving

■ exercise

■ study or work – if you can’t do it from home.

Moreland Mayor Lambros Tapinos said he wanted to reassure the community they will continue to support all community members and businesses through a range of measures to get through this.

“We have proposed in our 2020/21 budget a $4.85 million COVID-19 community relief and rebuild package with a good portion of this going to businesses,” he said.

“Since the testing blitz began, a significant number of Fawkner residents have been tested at mobile testing sites and at a new drive-through testing facility at CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner.

“I have been impressed by the co-operation and willingness of Fawkner residents to come forward to get tested.

“I want to say a big thank you to these residents and I strongly urge residents of other hotspots to come forward for testing in the coming days and weeks.”

Two schools, Moreland Primary School and Westbreen Primary School, have also shut because of positive test at the schools.

Moreland Council had taken a number of measures, including closing venues and cancelling events, to help slow the spread of the virus around the municipality.

It included all libraries and leisure centres, and the cancellation of the Glenroy Festival.

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