Gregor Mactaggart
PREMIER Daniel Andrews has announced that Latrobe City’s lockdown will end at 11.59pm tonight.
“We have a good understanding of the outbreak and can move Latrobe City back to the regional settings in place for much of Victoria,” Mr Andrews said.
“I would like to thank the people of Latrobe City, the strategy has worked and I wish you well.
“The people of Traralgon, Morwell, Moe and other places came out and got tested. We’ve got control of the cases and we will now bring them forward onto the regional settings.”
The good news comes as Latrobe City recorded seven new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours up to midnight.
Department of Health deputy secretary Kate Matson said all of the new cases are primarily linked and they have a “greater understanding” of the outbreak.
“The first dose vaccination rate (in Latrobe) has grown six percentage points in the past week (73.3 to 79.3) and we thank the residents of Latrobe,” she said.
“That figure is above the state average for growth, so with the increased vaccination rates at our sites in Latrobe, it is one of the reasons we feel confident enough to lift the lockdown.”
Gippsland Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU) said of the 65 current active cases in Latrobe City, 60 are linked to known outbreaks.
“The GRPHU is pleased with the progress made over the last 48 hours in tracing and linking these cases,” a GRPHU spokesperson said.
“This provides greater certainty in mitigating the risk of further exposure and spread.
“Only sites of concern are being listed on the Department of Health and GRPHU platforms.
“Evidence suggests there have been no transmissions of the virus at any Tier 2 exposure site in Gippsland.
“As a result, we will be publishing Tier 1 exposure sites as a priority.
“Any high risk Tier 2 exposure sites will also be listed.”
Two additional cases currently attributed to Latrobe City by Ms Matson at this morning’s press briefing are metropolitan cases linked to a business in the municipality.
GRPHU said although the two cases live in metropolitan Melbourne, they have been classified as local cases as they are managing the Latrobe City site.
The current list of Tier 1 exposure sites is as follows:
Pets Domain, Mid Valley Shopping Centre, Morwell
Tuesday 28 September, 12.00pm – 2.00pm
Village Cinemas, CINEMA 5 ONLY, Morwell
Sunday 26 September, 7.00pm – 10.30pm
Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre GYM ONLY, Traralgon
Monday 27 September, 6.20pm – 7.20pm
Tuesday 28 September, 6.20pm – 7.45pm
National Australia Bank, Morwell
Tuesday 28 September, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday 29 September, 9.00am – 11.00am
Cafe Qu Bah, Mid Valley Shopping Centre, Morwell
Sunday 26 September, 5.55pm – 7.15pm
Betta Electrical, Moe
Monday 27 September, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Ramahyuck Medical Clinic, Morwell
Wednesday 22 September, 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Thursday 23 September, 9.30am – 11.00am
Repco, Morwell
Thursday 23 September, 8.00am – 12.30pm
Repco, Traralgon
Monday 20 September, 7.00am – 5.30pm
Tuesday 21 September, 7.00am – 5.30pm
Wednesday 22 September, 7.00am – 5.30pm
Thursday 23 September, 12.00pm – 5.30pm
Friday 24 September, 8.00am – 5.30pm
GRPHU said anyone who has visited a Tier 1 exposure site during the times listed must immediately isolate, get a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure regardless of the result.
Tier 1 represents exposure sites where people attending are at greatest risk of catching the virus and passing the infection to others.
GRPHU regard regard people who have been at a Tier 1 site in the relevant time period as ‘close contacts’.
If you think you have had close contact with a person with COVID-19 or may otherwise be a close contact, get in touch with the GRPHU on 5173 5451 or call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.
You should stay at home until the GRPHU or Department of Health determines you are a close contact although you may be advised to get a COVID-19 test.
Testing opportunities in Latrobe City include;
• Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium drive through, Ashby St, Traralgon until 5pm today. No appointments required.
• Latrobe Valley Respiratory Clinic, Morwell. Appointments required, for bookings go to
https://bit.ly/3Fbd8eH.
• LCHS – Senior Citizens Centre, Moe – Walk-up, no appointments necessary. Wednesday and Thursday this week, 9 – 11am.
Latrobe City’s first dose vaccination rate has climbed in the past week from 73.3 per cent to 79.3 per cent.
Second dose vaccination rates climbed from 44.9 per cent to 48.9 per cent.
Victoria recorded 1763 cases in the 24 hours up to midnight, with 86 in regional Victoria.
