Latest coronavirus news for Geelong region
Barwon Health says it is closely monitoring the emergence of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in Victoria, with thousands of vaccine doses administered over the weekend.
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- Anglesea case a false positive
- Lockdown to be lifted in regional Victoria
- Melbourne Covid case that visited Anglesea a false positive
- Community’s ‘mixed views’ on potential Avalon hub
BARWON Health says it is closely monitoring the emergence of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in Victoria.
Victorian health authorities reported two new locally acquired Covid cases on Sunday, primary close contacts of existing outbreaks.
But aged care provider Arcare on Sunday confirmed a further two cases had been identified, in a resident and an agency registered nurse, linked to its Maidstone facility.
The state reported five locally acquired cases on Saturday.
Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby thanked the community for coming out and getting vaccinated over the weekend.
“Demand for COVID-19 vaccinations continues to remain high, with around 2800 doses administered this weekend,” Ms Bibby said.
“Two weekends ago we vaccinated around 900 people; we are grateful that the community has
responded to the expanded eligibility criteria.”
“Demand for COVID-19 testing remains strong, but has steadied with no exposure sites currently listed for our region.
“This weekend more than 400 people have been tested, compared with around
230 people two weekends ago.”
Ms Bibby reminded the community to remain vigilant and get tested at the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms, however mild.
“We are closely monitoring the emergence of the Delta strain and encourage everyone to continue to follow the public health measures and use the QR check-in system whenever it is required,” she said.
Dangers posed by the Covid-19 outbreak which threw Victoria into lockdown have largely passed but fears of a new Delta variant are keeping restrictions in place.
A fortnight after the first cases were identified, the initial 1900 close contacts of the Whittlesea cluster were to be on Sunday released from quarantine — the outbreak now likely contained.
But as mystery continues over how a newer West Melbourne cluster involving the more infectious Delta variant began, health authorities maintained it was unlikely Melbourne’s lockdown would be lifted before the Thursday night deadline.
Victoria’s Deputy chief health officer Professor Allen Cheng said extensive testing and the fact three weeks had passed since the initial Whittlesea infections occurred meant concerns were easing that there may be undetected chains of transmission.
However Prof Cheng said the “upstream” risks of a separate West Melbourne cluster revealed last week to involve the Delta coronavirus variant was now the primary concern.
“It is fair to say that, with the passage of time, we get more comfortable with unknown sources of cases if they have no transmission going on after one to three weeks,” Prof Cheng said.
“We always have a baseline level of concern where we don’t know where there is a case … but I think we are more worried about the origin of the Delta variant at this stage.
“For these cases that we can’t find who gave them the infection, particularly the family who returned from Jervis Bay, we are concerned about who was it that might have given them the infection and therefore could there be other infections related to that.”
Health investigators are continuing the search for answers into how the Delta variant entered the community, trawling through historically genetic sequencing results from labs across the country hoping for even a partial match.
- TAMARA McDONALD and GRANT McARTHUR
Community’s ‘mixed views’ on potential Avalon hub
GEELONG leaders have welcomed a deal that will see a long-awaited quarantine centre built in Victoria.
But Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher has warned there would be mixed feelings among community members if Avalon was selected as the site.
While the site for the $200 million village-style quarantine facility has not officially been named, it is expected to be based near Avalon Airport and could be open by the end of the year.
The federal government on Friday agreed to fund the build of the centre after signing a memorandum of understanding with Victoria. Under the agreement, the state government would operate the centre.
Senator Sarah Henderson said she was a “very strong supporter” of an Avalon quarantine facility, which she believed would boost local jobs.
G21 chief executive Giulia Baggio said the facility would be crucial as the nation increased efforts to bring home Australians, welcome back international students and reopen to the world.
“Avalon Airport is the logical site,” Ms Baggio said.
“It is well set up to easily transport passengers from direct flights straight to the front door of a facility.
“It has plenty of room to allow for safe quarantining away from the community and is well positioned to access medical support services from both Geelong and Melbourne.”
She urged governments to do all they could to fast-track the development and “get on with construction”.
Corio MP Richard Marles also said building the facility at Avalon would boost jobs and growth across the region.
But Cr Asher said there were “mixed views” in the community about the Avalon proposal.
She said while the proposed project would have local benefits, council would need to ensure community concerns were addressed.
“That said, in the event Avalon is selected, we would seek detailed information and assurances about what policies and procedures will be put in place to protect our local community,” she said on Friday.
Avalon’s Jeanette Johnson, said she was fearful of the risk posed. “I am absolutely concerned,” Ms Johnson said. “Until now we have been relatively safe.”
Resident Paul Riemer said he was worried it would bring community transmission to the regional area.
“Metro areas seem to always have a problem with this virus concerning quarantine, not regional,” Mr Riemer said.
— OLIVIA SHYING
Anglesea case found to be false positve
Anglesea is no longer a Covid-19 exposure site after a case who visited the area was declared a false positive.
There are now no current active exposure sites in the town and no need for locals who had visited the area to isolate.
Several tier two exposure sites were listed for Anglesea on Wednesday, stemming from the visit between May 25 and 27 by a Melburnian who was previously understood to have acquired the virus while in Brighton. Anyone visiting those sites at the specified times was instructed to get tested and isolate until a negative result was received.
But the Department of Health confirmed on Thursday that two cases linked to the current outbreak, including the Anglesea visitor, had subsequently been declared false positives.
“These cases will be reclassified and no longer considered confirmed cases,” it said.
“Primary close contacts who are linked only to these cases and not to other exposure sites will be released.
“Any exposure sites linked only to these cases will be stood down, including every exposure site in Anglesea.”
Anglesea Golf Club bistro was previously listed as a tier one site.
The club’s general manager David Sanders said he was relieved to hear about the reclassified case.
“I’d rather it be a false positive rather than a positive,” he said.
“Anglesea is a small community, I hate to see the panic that has gone through the town, the testing centre was just packed.”
Mr Sanders said the golf course would reopen at the weekend, while the clubhouse including the bistro would reopen Monday.
Nine staff members who were isolating in response to the case, and had all since returned negative results, will return to work from the weekend.
Mr Sanders said the situation was “highly unexpected” but demonstrated why it was important to remain vigilant.
He said he was grateful the venue had been strict with QR code check-in.
“At least it proves our processes are all working,” he said.
Barwon South West Public Health Unit director Eugene Athan said Barwon Health set up a pop-up testing site in Anglesea on Wednesday and expanded testing capacity at Lorne, Torquay and Norlane.
Prof Athan said there were 282 people tested at Anglesea on Wednesday and about another 250 by lunchtime Thursday.
Regional Victoria has been freed from lockdown after the state reported three new locally acquired cases on Thursday – all primary close contacts connected to the Melbourne outbreak.
Victoria reported a record number of tests, with more than 57,500 results received on Wednesday.
Acting Premier James Merlino said Wednesday was also a record day for vaccinations.
Mr Merlino announced restrictions could ease as planned for regional Victoria from 11.59pm Thursday.
The easing of restrictions meant the ‘five reasons to leave home’ were removed but settings did not snap back to those prior to the lockdown.
Melbourne’s lockdown has been extended, and Melburnians won’t be able to visit the regions for the long weekend the following weekend.
Mr Merlino flagged the state government would announce support for regional tourism providers in coming days.
“I’m really pleased to be confirming the easing of restrictions for regional Victoria,” he said.
“I want to be back here next week talking about careful easing of restrictions in Melbourne and further easing of restrictions in regional Victoria.”
— TAMARA MCDONALD and NATALEE KERR
Lockdown to be lifted in regional Victoria
LOCKDOWN is proposed to be lifted in regional Victoria from Thursday night but restrictions to stop coronavirus spreading will be enforced.
It comes after exposure sites were revealed in Anglesea and wastewater testing picked up viral fragments in other regional areas including Bendigo.
Melbourne will stay in lockdown for an extra seven days, with some slight alterations such as the 5km radium being expanded to 10.
Victoria reported six new locally acquired cases on Wednesday.
In a blow for the region’s tourism industry, Acting Premier James Merlino said people from Melbourne could not travel to regional Victoria over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend from June 12 to 14.
“The risk of exporting the virus is just too high,” Mr Merlino said.
Mr Merlino said with no community transmission in regional Victoria this week, regional restrictions are proposed to begin easing from 11:59pm Thursday.
“We’ll use the next 24 hours to continue tracing and testing and confirm that this
change can go ahead,” he said.
“We need to be clear though, this strain of the virus means we can’t just snap back to where we were a week ago.
“We have to make sure it’s safe and that means moving a bit slower.”
For regional Victoria, travel restrictions and the five reasons to leave home will be removed.
All year levels and all students will return to face-to-face schooling.
Public gatherings – catching up at a public place like the park or the beach – will be increased to 10 people.
Restaurants and cafés can reopen to a maximum of 50.
Retail, beauty and personal care, entertainment venues and community facilities will also open in line with density limits.
Religious ceremonies and funerals will be capped at 50, weddings at ten.
High-risk settings like gyms will remain closed in regional Victoria for a further seven days.
“We’ll also move to work or study from home if you can,” Mr Merlino said.
Offices will be capped at 50 per cent.
However, Mr Merlino said some things won’t change.
“Visitors to the home are still not okay. And we still need masks to be worn inside,” he said.
“Finally, regional Victorians will be able to travel in regional Victoria.
“Melburnians will not.”
Mr Merlino said most businesses that are open in regional Victoria but closed in Melbourne – restaurants or beauty for example – must check the IDs of everyone they serve.
“We know it’s an extra ask on staff and customers – but ultimately, it’s about keeping your community safe,” he said.
“We’ll also expand our QR requirements to make it mandatory in retail settings like supermarkets and shops.
“The 15-minute threshold will also be removed so anyone entering a shop or a cafe will need to check-in.”
REGIONAL VICTORIA RESTRICTIONS
● Can leave home for any reason
FACE COVERINGS:
● Must be carried at all times
● Must be worn indoors except if at home, or if an exception applies
● Must be worn outdoors where 1.5 metres physical distancing cannot be maintained
PRIVATE GATHERINGS IN THE HOME:
● Not permitted, intimate partner visits/single bubble permitted
PUBLIC GATHERINGS:
● Permitted for up to 10 people
WORK:
● If you can work from home, you should continue to work from home. Capacity limits in workplaces such as offices capped at 50% or 20 people, whichever is greater
EDUCATION:
● Early learning centres, childcare, kinder and family day care are Open
● Schools: Return to face to face learning for all year levels
● Higher education and training: If you can study from home, you should continue to study from home
RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS AND CEREMONIES:
● Permitted for up to 50 people per venue, density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm applies
FUNERALS (INDOORS AND OUTDOORS):
● Permitted with no more than 50 people (and those necessary to conduct the funeral)
● Children under 12 months old are not counted towards this cap
WEDDINGS (INDOOR AND OUTDOOR):
● Permitted with no more than 10 people (including the two persons being married, celebrant, two witnesses)
● These settings apply to any venue in which a wedding is held, except for private residences where private gathering limits apply
INDOOR PHYSICAL RECREATION & SPORT: Closed
PLAY CENTRES, INDOOR SKATEPARKS, INDOOR TRAMPOLINING CENTRES: Closed
OUTDOOR PHYSICAL RECREATION AND SPORT:
● Open: A maximum patron cap of 50 people per venue. Group sizes to a maximum of 10 people. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies.
● Community sport: Permitted for children. Training purposes only for adults
CREATIVE STUDIOS
● Open: A maximum patron cap of 50 people per venue. Group sizes to a maximum of 10 people. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies
ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE
● Indoor fixed seated entertainment: Open up to 25 per cent of seated capacity up to a maximum of 50 people per venue. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies
● Outdoor fixed seated entertainment: Open up to 50 per cent of seated capacity up to a maximum of 50 people per venue. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies
● Non-seated indoor venues: Closed
● Non-seated outdoor venues: Open to maximum of 50 people per venue. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies. Group sizes to a maximum of 10 people
● Arcades, escape rooms, bingo centres: Closed
● Drive-in cinemas: Open to a maximum of 50 people per venue (stay in vehicles). Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies
● Amusement parks: Closed
● Retail betting venues: Open to a maximum of 50 people per venue. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies
● Electronic gaming: Closed
● Sex on premises, brothels and sexually explicit venues: Closed
GENERAL RETAIL
● All retail: Open, Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies. Service Vic QR code app required to record attendance
HAIRDRESSING, BEAUTY, PERSONAL CARE
● Open: For services where you can keep a mask on. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies
HOSPITALITY
● Food and drink facilities, food courts: Open for seated service only with a maximum patron cap of 50 people per venue. Group sizes to a maximum of 10 people. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies
ACCOMMODATION
● Open: Bookings permitted for single households, intimate partners or nominated single social bubble person
REAL ESTATE
● Auction houses: Open to a maximum of 50 people per venue. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies
TOURS AND TRANSPORT
● Indoor tourism: Closed
● Outdoor tourism: Open to maximum of 50 people per venue. Density quotient of 1 person per 4sqm applies
● Tour transport: Closed
CARE FACILITIES
● Visitors permitted into aged care or other care facility setting for end-of-life reasons and permitted purposes only
● Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry
HOSPITALS
● No visitors are permitted into health care settings, except for end-of-life reasons, as a support partner for birth, or a parent to accompany a child
● Non-essential contractors are restricted from entry
— TAMARA MCDONALD
Originally published as Latest coronavirus news for Geelong region
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