Covid cases – the latest update
On Monday, the state government figures recorded 38 positive cases in the shire.
With Victoria due to reach the 80 per cent double dose mark on Friday, and Melburnians allowed to visit regional areas, local Covid cases continue to climb.
There continues to be a disparity between state government and local health authority figures, but both are showing a steady increase in the number of Bass Coast cases.
On Monday, the state government figures recorded 38 positive cases in the shire, with seven of these located on Phillip Island or in San Remo. Gippsland Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU) confirmed it was currently managing 24 active cases in the region.
GRPHU said as case numbers fluctuate constantly, there may be a difference between the reported figures.
“The GRPHU reports on active cases it directly manages who live in one of our six local government areas, as opposed to a region,” a spokesperson said.
“For example, some towns within the Bass Coast region may in fact be located outside of Bass Coast Shire, and are subsequently managed by a different local public health unit.”
The spokesperson said GRPHU figures were also adjusted if they knew a case had relocated out of Gippsland entirely or to a different LGA.
“Please only use the active case numbers as a guide, as they are subject to change.”
Last week, Bass Coast Health (BCH) was notified a staff member at Kirrak House aged care unit had tested positive.
In line with requirements, the BCH Outbreak Plan was activated and impacted staff members, residents and relatives were contacted.
CEO Jan Child said while she disappointed that “one of our most vulnerable settings has been impacted” most residents and all staff were fully vaccinated.
“We know that Covid is in our community and that we are all at risk of contracting Covid as we go about our lives, because of the significant levels of community transmission. Whilst everyone at BCH has been doing such a great job at avoiding contact, the high levels of community transmission make exposures somewhat inevitable.”
Anyone with even the mildest of symptoms is encouraged to get tested.
- Cowes – Transit Centre drive through. 9am – 3pm (closed Thursday and Sunday this week). Pre-fill your details using the Testing Registration form testtracker.covid19.dhhs.vic.gov.au/citizen-prefill
- Wonthaggi – Watt Street drive through. 9am – 4pm daily. Pre-fill your details using the Testing Registration form testtracker.covid19.dhhs.vic.gov.au/citizen-prefill
- Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic, 1pm – 3.30pm weekdays by appointment at bit.ly/3Fbd8eH
Daily case numbers available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-coronavirus-covid-19-data
Gippsland Region Public Health Unit provides regular updates on its Facebook page.
