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Surf Coast records 20 new Covid cases on Sunday

Covid cases have spiked on the Surf Coast, with the municipality recording 20 new cases on Sunday.

Covid cases have spiked on the Surf Coast, with the municipality recording 20 new cases on Sunday.

A cluster linked to the Torquay hotel had 28 active cases and was among the largest in the state.

Covid testing Torquay Spring Creek Reserve. Picture: Alison Wynd
Covid testing Torquay Spring Creek Reserve. Picture: Alison Wynd

Of current key Victorian non aged care outbreaks, the Torquay Hotel cluster had the second highest number of active cases, health department data showed.

Eighteen new cases were reported for Greater Geelong on Sunday.

Victoria reported 1069 new cases on Sunday and two deaths.

Geelong’s Covid case spike

Greater Geelong has recorded a spike in new Covid cases, with 34 reported on Saturday.

The Surf Coast recorded 12 new cases, while Golden Plains and Colac-Otway each recorded one new case.

A Covid outbreak linked to the Torquay Hotel had grown to 30 active cases, according to health department data.

Victoria recorded 1191 new locally-acquired Covid cases and 13 deaths.

Torquay cluster grows

A Covid outbreak linked to the Torquay Hotel has grown to 27 active cases, according to health department data.

Seventeen new cases were reported for Greater Geelong on Friday.

The Surf Coast recorded eight new cases, the Borough of Queenscliffe two and Colac-Otway one.

As of 9am Friday there were 20 patients in Geelong hospital with Covid-19, including 11 in ICU.

Victoria recorded 1203 new locally-acquired Covid cases and two deaths.

Geelong region records 39 new cases on Thursday

Authorities announced 39 new positive coronavirus across the Barwon South West region on Thursday.

Across Victoria authorities announced 1232 new Covid-19 cases and nine deaths.

Barwon South West public health unit director Prof Eugene Athan said no coronavirus deaths were recorded at Geelong hospital on Wednesday night.

As of 9am Thursday there were 18 patients in University Hospital Geelong with Covid-19, including nine in ICU.

The average age of these patients is 49.

Torquay Hotel outbreak emerges

A Covid outbreak linked to the Torquay Hotel has grown to 20 active cases, health department data shows.

It comes as Greater Geelong recorded 23 new cases, while two new cases were reported for each the Surf Coast and Golden Plains.

As of Wednesday morning there were 19 patients in Geelong hospital with Covid-19, nine of whom were in ICU.

The health department confirmed the Omicron strain has been identified in Victoria, with a case confirmed in hotel quarantine and further likely cases found in Melbourne.

Victoria recorded 1312 new Covid cases and five deaths.

The Torquay Hotel cluster has now grown to 20 active cases. Picture: Alison Wynd
The Torquay Hotel cluster has now grown to 20 active cases. Picture: Alison Wynd

Covid spreads among Surf Coast schoolies

Contact tracers are concerned by an increasing number of Covid-19 cases affecting young people in our region with growing levels of transmission across schoolies celebrations, the region’s public health boss says.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said these cases had been concentrated along the Surf Coast and occurred within both accommodation and hospitality venues.

Prof Athan said the Torquay Hotel had been identified as a transmission site with 15 cases currently linked to it.

He recommended anyone who attended the Torquay Hotel on the following dates get tested: November 26 (7pm – 12am); November 27 (12am-1.30am; 10am-12am); November 28 (12am-1am; 7pm-12am); November 29 (12am-1.30am; 5pm-9.30pm); November 30 (7.15pm-12am);December 1 (12am-2am; 5pm-12am); and December 2 (12am-2am; 7pm-10pm).

“As schoolies celebrations continue in the region and population increases over the summer months we urge both residents and holiday makers to remain vigilant and to get tested at the earliest sign of COVID-19,” he said.

“This also means refraining from attending events if you are feeling unwell or displaying any symptoms.

“This will help protect your friends and family.”

Secondary school leavers descended on Surf Coast towns including Lorne from late last month to celebrate schoolies. Picture: David Smith
Secondary school leavers descended on Surf Coast towns including Lorne from late last month to celebrate schoolies. Picture: David Smith

Secondary school leavers descended on Surf Coast towns including Lorne from late last month to celebrate schoolies.

Meanwhile, Prof Athan said as of 9am Tuesday there were 18 patients in Geelong hospital with Covid, nine of whom were in ICU.

“The average age of these patients is 49,” Prof Athan said.

He urged anyone who was currently due for their booster vaccination to book in as soon as possible.

“A booster dose will continue to protect you, your loved ones and your community against Covid-19,” he said.

Thirty-five new Covid cases were reported for Greater Geelong on Tuesday, while the Surf Coast recorded three and Golden Plains two.

Greater Geelong was among 10 Victorian local government areas with the highest numbers of new cases.

The municipality had 329 active cases, according to health department data.

Victoria recorded 1185 new cases and seven deaths.

Originally published as Surf Coast records 20 new Covid cases on Sunday

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/geelong/contact-tracers-concerned-as-covid-spreads-among-surf-coast-schoolies/news-story/196bb02b350876cc63acfea9976df09c