Coronavirus outbreak Australian Meat Group in Dandenong South
Cases continue to rise at a Dandenong South abattoir as authorities work to trace more than 500 close contacts. This comes as Victoria records another high day of infections.
Coronavirus cases continue to grow at a Dandenong South abattoir in Melbourne’s southeast after an outbreak of the deadly virus.
Yet another case has been confirmed, bringing the infections rate up to three positive cases at Australian Meat Group on Hammond Rd.
But authorities have identified more than 550 registered close contacts of those infected persons.
This comes after Leader revealed a confidential internal communication the abattoir experienced a “potential COVID-19 outbreak” on Thursday, July 30.
The new case was confirmed by the Australian Meat Industry union.
Australian Meat Industry Employees Victorian secretary Paul Conway said he was “extremely disappointed” the company had not advised the union of the outbreak.
“The company failed to notify us, even though we have about 50 members there and it’s extremely disappointing,” Mr Conway said.
“We have been able to confirm there are three people all from the afternoon shift that have contracted COVID-19,” he said.
Mr Conway said the outbreak at the meat works was due to workers working in close proximity of each other.
“If industries including automotive and others that have gone still existed, we would be seeing similar cluster outbreaks.
“Anywhere where there is a group of workers that work closely and if someone comes in and they’re not showing symptoms, it will fly through the workforce quicker than other places.”
He said he was calling for better conditions for casual workers and labour hirers.
“Front and centre in all of this is how workers will get paid … I believe there should be a paid pandemic leave, especially if you want the meat industry to continue to operate,” he said.
“We are encouraging all workers with symptoms not to come to work and stay home.”
It’s understood one of the people infected was symptomatic while at work.
The internal communication said work shifts were being wrapped up, with all 600 employees being notified of the six available testing sites.
It was also noted there would be a high demand for testing around Greater Dandenong on Friday.
It comes after the Cedar Meats cluster in Melbourne’s west earlier this year, where more than 100 people contracted the deadly virus.
DHHS and Australian Meat Group have been contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Coronavirus outbreak Australian Meat Group in Dandenong South
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