"Remain vigilant" ... four cases recorded in area

Bass Coast recorded its first case in the latest Delta outbreak on Friday night. By the end of the weekend, that figure had risen to three.

On Tuesday afternoon, a fourth case was announced.

The three new cases are household contacts of the original case identified last Friday, who acquired the virus at a construction site near Swan Hill.

Four local Tier 2 exposure sites have been identified.

• Bunnings Wonthaggi: Friday, September 10, 8.25am – 9.15am
• Van Steensel Timbers, Grantville: Saturday, September 11, 9.35am – 10.10am
• Macca's Farm, Glen Forbes: Saturday, September 11, 10.45am – 12.15pm
• Blue Gum Garden Centre, Newhaven: Sunday September 12, 12.20pm – 1.15pm

Anyone who visited a Tier 2 exposure site during the times listed should get a Covid test and isolate until they receive a negative result.
Family members or other people within the household do not need to get tested if they did not attend the exposure site.

Be cautious

Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said the positive Covid case was a "timely reminder that we are in a pandemic and Bass Coast is not immune".

"I'm urging everyone to be cautious, follow the health directives and to get tested if you have the slightest symptoms."

There were extended opening times at drive through testing sites at Wonthaggi Hospital and the Cowes Transit Centre on Saturday and Sunday, with 153 tests administered at Cowes and 393 at Wonthaggi across the weekend.

On Friday, Gippsland Public Health Unit also confirmed a positive case in Traralgon, with unexplained viral fragments detected in wastewater at Moe.

The government again expressed concern at the growing number of cases in the south-eastern corridor of Melbourne, with positive cases in Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia shires.

With the virus inching closer to Bass Coast, Ms Child said it was important to remain vigilant.

She recommended checking the state government's list of exposure sites which is regularly updated.

A full list is available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/case-alerts-public-exposure-sites#about-exposure-sites.

Concerns about regional infections continues to grow, with Ballarat put into a seven-day lockdown last week. On Sunday, the government announced Geelong, Surf Coast and Mitchell shires would also go into a seven-day lockdown from midnight, due to rising case numbers.

Cases have also been detected in East Gippsland, Macedon Ranges, Mildura, Daylesford, Cohuna, Healesville, Bacchus Marsh, Beveridge, and Shepparton.

Vaccinate

Ms Child said the Community Vaccination Clinic at the Wonthaggi Town Hall was open all week.

If you're over 18, you can walk-in for an AstraZeneca vaccine, with Pfizer given as a priority to walk-ins who are healthcare, disability support, aged care or construction workers.

"Other people can walk-in and we will try to give you a vaccine if time permits," Ms Child said.

Bookings are also available through the online portal at portal.cvms.vic.gov.au or by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

Roadmap

On Sunday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced a roadmap, which has the current Melbourne lockdown ending on October 26 when the state reaches the 70 per cent double dose target.

The roadmap outlines a gradual easing of restrictions, and when the 80 per cent single dose target is reached later this month (September 26), some restrictions in both regional and metropolitan Victoria will end.

Victoria should reach the 80 per cent double dose target by November 5, however the Premier said cases were not expected to peak until mid-December, with hospital admissions peaking at the end of that month.

Full details of the Premier’s statement and the Victorian roadmap available at: www.premier.vic.gov.au/victorias-roadmap-delivering-national-plan