Geelong records 13 new Covid cases; outbreaks knock out 29 schools

A whopping 29 Covid outbreaks have taken hold at Geelong schools, leading to a huge proportion of active cases among children.

Almost half the region’s Covid cases are under 19, with a number of childcare centres and schools across the region struck by Covid in recent weeks.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan on Wednesday said 29 schools in the region currently had active Covid cases linked to them.

Northern Bay P-12 College’s Wexford campus, located in Corio and attended by preps to grade eights, has been closed due to Covid.

According to health department data published Wednesday, the campus outbreak had 51 active cases.

There were also 17 active cases listed for an outbreak at the college’s Goldsworthy campus, attended by year nine to 12s.

Northern Bay College Goldsworthy campus is among the schools facing outbreaks. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Our contact tracing team are currently working with local schools and the Department of Education to support a number of schools that have confirmed positive cases,” Prof Athan said.

“Our objective is to keep schools open and minimise impact on local schoolchildren.”

He urged all parents to protect themselves, as well as their eligible children as soon as possible, with vaccination as cases rise in our region’s education settings.

“Out of the 458 actives cases in the Barwon South West region, 207 are aged 19 and

under,” Prof Athan said.

“We are awaiting further information from ATAGI regarding vaccinations of children under the age of 12.”

Kids under 12 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration last week confirmed Australia had received the majority of paperwork required to assess Pfizer’s vaccine for younger children, paving the way for the rollout to expand to kids five and over potentially by the end of the year.

Greater Geelong record 13 Covid cases

Greater Geelong has recorded 13 new Covid cases, as authorities warn viral fragments have been detected in wastewater samples from coastal towns.

Two new coronavirus cases were reported for Golden Plains on Wednesday.

It follows a downward trend in Geelong region cases, from the 50s late last week and 28 on Tuesday, including two crew members from a vessel in Corio Bay.

The health department said for Aireys Inlet, repeated unexpected wastewater detections occurred for the period from October 24 to November 1.

For Apollo Bay, unexpected detection occurred for the period October 26 to November 1.

The detections could be an undiscovered new case or cases or could be the result of one or more people in these areas who have recovered from COVID-19 but are still shedding the virus.

Anyone who lives in, works in or has visited Apollo Bay or Aireys Inlet is urged to watch for the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms and get tested as soon as possible if symptoms develop.

Victoria reported 941 new Covid cases on Wednesday.

The state reported a further eight deaths among people with Covid.

Originally published as Geelong records 13 new Covid cases; outbreaks knock out 29 schools