Masks on as Covid returns

New cases of coronavirus identified in Victoria last week include a case in Leongatha.

The new cases are all linked to a gathering at a Black Rock cafe, which was attended by a returned traveller from Sydney.

Over a thousand close contacts of all the identified cases are isolating and DHHS has a list of public exposure sites available on its website, which is updated daily.

This includes Wonthaggi Plaza Shopping Centre and Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, as well as Coral Fish and Chips in Leongatha.

DHHS advises anyone who visited Wonthaggi Plaza between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on December 28 should monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, immediately get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.

Testing is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Phillip Island Health Hub, in Church Street, Cowes.

The Wonthaggi Drive-Through Clinic also operates between 9am - 6pm daily.

As a result of the new cases, the government has reintroduced some Covid restrictions.

Wearing masks in indoor public spaces is again mandatory and masks must be worn except when eating or drinking. You must carry a mask when you leave your home.

Masks should also be worn in outdoor settings where it is not possible to maintain social distancing.

The number of people allowed to gather at home has been reduced from 30 to 15.

Testing numbers

Bass Coast Health reported a massive increase in demand for tests over the past week.

In the new year, the number of tests jumped dramatically, as residents and visitors heeded the call from the state government for people to get tested if they’d visited a public exposure site, had returned from NSW before the border closed or were exhibiting any Covid symptoms.

“We were averaging 40 tests per day at Wonthaggi,” said Cath Jones from Bass Coast Health (BCH).

“Yesterday (New Year’s Day) we undertook 300 tests, and 100 tests at Phillip Island. We now have eight swabbing stations available at Wonthaggi Hospital (including four for 'all weather' conditions). This will significantly cut down waiting times. Thanks to the many staff from across our organisation who worked to expand our service."

Bass Coast Health said testing at the drive-through site continued on New Year’s Day until the last car had been processed.

Residents are being urged to continue to check the list of exposure sites across Victoria, on the DHHS website. Anyone who has visited an exposure site or experiences any symptoms should be tested immediately.

“We are absolutely prepared, and while it is busy we can contain the spread if our community get tested,” said a spokesperson for BCH.

The local contact tracing team which had operated during the second wave has been reinstated.

Bass Coast Health facilities have again been closed to visitors, and staff have returned to wearing full PPE.

Close call

Westernport Water confirmed their Newhaven office was vacated on December 31, after receiving advice a staff member had been identified as a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case.

“Staff that had worked with our colleague were advised to self-isolate in their home immediately and Westernport Water’s Newhaven office building was vacated in accordance with instructions from DHHS,” said Gareth Kennedy, Westernport Water General Manager.

“These staff members have now been cleared by DHHS to exit isolation.”

Mr Kennedy said Westernport Water has had very tight controls in place since early 2020 to reduce the risk of transmission to other workers, based on advice from DHHS.

“Services provided by Westernport Water have not been impacted by this event. We can also reassure our customers that there is no risk of infection as the Newhaven office building was closed to the public at the time.”

The office building will remain closed to the public until further notice.