Geelong Covid cases: 64 new cases in Barwon South West region, mask rules beefed up

Another 64 new cases of coronavirus were announced across the Barwon South West region on Thursday, while Geelong hospital has six Covid cases in the ICU.

Another 64 new cases of coronavirus were recorded across the Barwon South West region as of Thursday.

Barwon South West public health unit director Professor Eugene Athan said no new Covid-19 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 six in the ICU. The average age of these patients is 51.

Statewide, Victoria recorded 2005 new infections on Thursday, the first time the state has passed more than 2000 cases since October.

Ten more Victorians have also died following their diagnosis.

From Friday, face masks will be required in all indoor settings except for private homes for people over eight years-old.

It will also apply at major events of more than 30,000.

Barwon Heath's North Geelong Covid-19 testing site was backed up with cars on Wednesday. Picture: Alan Barber

The new rule will force people attending major events, including the Boxing Day Test, to wear masks, but they will not be required while patrons are seated.

Hospitality and retail will not be affected, no businesses will be closed, but the government has recommended hospitality venues stick to seated service and for dance floors to stay in outdoor, well-ventilated areas.

All residents are being urged to get their booster Covid-19 vaccines as soon as they are eligible.

“I urge anyone who had their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine more than five months ago, that they are now due for their booster and to book in as soon as possible. The Community Vaccination Hub in Norlane is now offering booster doses,” Prof Athan said.

Due to strong demand, walk-ins at the hub have been paused and appointments can be made by calling 1800 675 398 or online www.portal.cvms.vic.gov.au

The Community Vaccination Hub in Norlane is open Monday – Saturday 8.30am-3.30pm. During the holiday period the Community Vaccination Hub will be closed from Decemeber 24-28 and from January 1-3.

Booster doses are also being offered by a number of GPs and pharmacies across the region.

More school clusters emerge as Covid cases spike

Coronavirus cases have spiked across the region as residents queued for hours to be tested ahead of Christmas Day.

Greater Geelong recorded 46 new cases of coronavirus, as of Wednesday, with three new cases also recorded in the Surf Coast Shire.

As of 9am on Wednesday there were 21 patients in University Hospital Geelong with Covid-

19, including eight in the ICU.

The average age of these patients is 51.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said no Covid-19 deaths were recorded at the hospital on Tuesday night.

Demand for testing remained high as residents rushed to get tested ahead of Christmas and holiday travel.

Barwon Heath Nort’sh Geelong Covid-19 testing site was backed up with cars on Wednesday morning and still seeing a steady stream of visitors throughout the afternoon. Picture: Alan Barber

Barwon Health confirmed 700 tests were conducted at its Barwon Health North site on Tuesday, with early morning the peak time for testing.

A number of significant cluster shave been identified across the region with 36 cases linked to Torquay P-6 College, 14 cases linked to a Mirripoa Primary School camp and 13 cases linked to Geelong Grammar School’s Bostock House.

Barwon Health employee Aaron Grigg is one of many Geelong residents who will spend Christmas in isolation after testing positive to coronavirus.

Mr Grigg tested positive to the virus on December 19 – nine days after his wife and daughter tested positive.

He said the family had been planning to attend a large Christmas celebration in Melbourne before Covid-19 spoiled their plans.

While Mr Grigg’s wife and daughter are now Covid free and out of isolation, he and his second daughter remained in quarantine.

“It is going to happen to everyone at some point,” he said.

“We were getting our fingers crossed that we wouldn’t be in isolation for Christmas but we are all pretty good at Facetime,” he said.

Mr Grigg praised Barwon Health for their response and urged anyone with even slight symptoms to get tested.

Across the state, Victoria recorded 1503 new Covid-19 cases and six deaths on Wednesday.

There are 37 cases of the Omicron variant in Victoria. Of those, 23 people acquired their infection overseas and 14 contracted it in Australia.

Victoria’s Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said he expected cases to rise significantly in coming weeks.

He said health staffing was facing a significant challenge with many people taking a well-deserved break over Christmas.

“We will balance the critical needs of providing health care within our hospitals and into the health care system and providing a sustainable vaccination program,” he said.

Health officials on Wednesday released advice on alternative ways Victorians could host Christmas in person to reduce the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

“If you have symptoms, don’t go. Get a PCR test instead and stay isolated until you get a negative result,” chief health officer Brett Sutton said.

Professor Sutton encouraged those who didn’t have symptoms to take a rapid antigen test before leaving home, which can be purchased from supermarkets.

Authorities in Victoria remain concerned about the increased risk of hospitalisations and pressure on the state’s hospital system.

Health services are looking at drawing in alternative workforces to provide support with vaccinations, as the state drives a booster campaign from January 4.

` with Anthony Piovesan and Rhiannon Tuffield

How testing demand will be managed over summer

The health department says it will work to ensure appropriate Covid testing coverage on the coast over the holidays amid surging demand.

It’s understood wait times at some sites in the region have reached up to four hours in recent weeks, with an increase in demand driven by positive cases and close contacts and more travel taking place.

With visitors set to flock to the region over summer, the state health department’s rapid response testing teams can be deployed to holiday hot spots where and when required.

“We’ll be working with local public health services to ensure there is appropriate testing coverage for the Surf Coast during the busy summer months, with additional mobile testing teams also available to be deployed to holiday hot spots if required,” a health department spokesperson said.

“Testing remains vital and we thank Victorians for continuing to get tested in such strong numbers, with the numbers hitting a record high last week.”

Covid-19 testing off the Bellarine Highway in Newcomb. Picture: Alan Barber

It’s understood the department will work with the local public health unit to ensure there is appropriate cover for testing in the area.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the testing team at Barwon Health North, along with pathology partners across the region, would be increasing capacity to meet demand with additional staff rostered.

“However I encourage everyone needing tests to be patient as testing staff will be very busy over the coming days,” she said.

“If you require testing, please come prepared for a possible wait.

“Most testing sites will be open during the Christmas period.”

Twenty-eight new Covid cases were reported for Greater Geelong on Tuesday.

The Surf Coast recorded five new cases, while Golden Plains, Colac-Otway and the Borough of Queenscliffe each recorded one new case.

As of 9am Tuesday there were 26 patients in Geelong hospital with COVID-19, including eight in ICU.

Victoria recorded 1245 new cases and six deaths.

Barwon Health North will be open for testing on Christmas Day from 8.30am-12.30pm.

To check holiday opening hours in the region check the Barwon Health website: www.barwonhealth.org.au/coronavirus/where-to-get-tested

Covid hits Lara prison construction project

Health authorities believe the region has recorded its first case of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Barwon Health said, as of Monday, there was one possible case of Omicron identified in the Geelong region.

The person, who acquired the virus interstate, visited the The Range at Curlewis while infected.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said the number of people infected with the Omicron strain of the virus was expected to increase until it becomes the dominant strain of Covid-19 in the region.

“While much is still unknown about the Omicron variant, it is believed the booster vaccine will provide significant additional protection against all strains of the virus, including Omicron,” Prof Athan said.

The Range @ Curlewis is an exposure site. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

“I urge anyone who had their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine more than five months ago that they are now due for their booster and to book in as soon as possible.

“The Community Vaccination Hub in Norlane is now offering booster doses.”

Management at the golf club confirmed that the guest attended the venue on December 13 between 6-8pm.

“The Department of Health has advised they will active the alert function in the Service Victoria app or direct SMS message patrons and staff that were present during the exposure day and time,” they said.

“They will be advised to get tested and isolate until they return a negative result.”

The Range at Curlewis is closed as a precautionary measure until Tuesday 9am.

Across the state, Victoria recorded 1302 new Covid-19 cases on Monday as more infections linked to the variant of concern are identified.

There are 406 people in Victorian hospitals with the virus, 81 in intensive care and 43 on a ventilator.

June 2021 update images of the Chisholm Road Prison

There are now two dozen cases of the Omicron variant in Victoria, with health authorities saying the strain’s rapid transmission rate is concerning.

Meanwhile, the Chisholm Road Prison Project at Lara has been listed as a significant cluster – with 18 active cases linked to the site.

It’s understood there are more than 100 close contacts following the contact assessment and management process.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesman said the Chisholm Road Prison Project follows robust processes to ensure the safety of workers on site.

“To enter site, all workers must provide evidence of full vaccination, pass a temperature check each shift, and operate in line with the project’s COVIDSafe Plan,” the spokesman said.

“There are significantly less workforce numbers in the lead up to Christmas and construction shut down period commencing Wednesday.”

Deputy chief medical officer Sonya Bennett said there was still a lot of uncertainty around the severity of the variant but it had become clear it was highly transmissible, with a doubling time of around two days.

“And if we see high numbers, that sheer number of cases is a cause for concern,” Dr Bennett said on Sunday.

But Victoria’s acting premier James Merlino said the critical issue was hospitalisations and ICU beds, not case numbers.

“That’s the critical thing that we look at every single day but obviously we’ve got a new variant and it is likely to become the dominant variant across the globe,” Mr Merlino said.

“We’re seeing a big increase in NSW so it’s something that we are learning more about every day in terms of its impact and the effectiveness of vaccines.”

Originally published as Geelong Covid cases: 64 new cases in Barwon South West region, mask rules beefed up