Gregor Mactaggart
Latrobe City recorded 21 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours up to midnight.
Twelve are located in the 3840 postcode (Morwell district), four in 3844 (Traralgon district), four in 3825 (Moe/Newborough district) and one in 3869 (Yinnar district).
COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said the new cases were connected into the existing outbreak.
“We have 21 cases in the Latrobe Valley, all of those are well-linked,” Mr Weimar told a press briefing in Melbourne this morning.
Latrobe City now has 148 active cases of COVID-19.
The current list of Tier 1 exposure sites in Latrobe City is as follows:
Morwell Central Primary School, Morwell
Wednesday 6 October, 9.00am – 3.45pm
Thursday 7 October, 9.00am – 3.34pm
Morwell Park Primary School, Morwell
Monday 4 October, 9.00am – 3.15pm
Gippsland Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU) released this information in relation to Tier 1 exposure sites.
“Tier 1 exposure sites may not be listed if all contacts are tracked down – if everyone there was identified and contacted quickly,” a GRPHU spokesperson said.
“Listing dozens of exposure sites with very low risk of transmission can cause confusion, panic and unnecessary alarm. We are focusing the public’s attention on those where we believe there’s a true risk.
“Tier 1 sites of concern, where not everyone has been accounted for quickly, will be listed. This is a form of public health announcement where the community is asked to act – isolate, get tested, follow advice from the Department of Health.
“As COVID-19 is becoming more entrenched in the community, we understand it may become more common to see people finding out information from their employers, their friends or families and for themselves to share this information on various social platforms.
“We acknowledge the proactive approach of some businesses who have had a positive case attend their site to make their community aware as a precautionary measure.
“This is exactly what it is, it provides an awareness that the community needs to remain vigilant – monitor for symptoms and continue practicing COVIDSafe behaviours more diligently. This is not an automatic direction to get tested and isolate.
“People who are identified as a Primary Close Contact linked to a potential exposure site will be contacted by the Department of Health and given the necessary advice and information. Of course, testing is also recommended for those experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, however minor.”
Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, drive through, Traralgon. 9.30am – 4pm weekdays. 9.30am – 3.30pm Saturday 16 October. No appointments required. Pre-fill your details using the Testing Registration form https://testtracker.covid19.dhhs.vic.gov.au/citizen-prefill
Clinical Labs, walk in clinic, Traralgon. 7.30am – 3.30pm weekdays. By appointment on 03 5174 0285
Latrobe Regional Hospital, Dorevitch Pathology, drive through, Traralgon. 8.30am – 4pm Friday 15 October. By appointment on 03 5165 0800
Latrobe Valley Respiratory Clinic, Morwell. Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 2pm. Walk-in clinic by appointment, for bookings go to: https://bit.ly/3Fbd8eH
Moe Senior Citizens Centre, Latrobe Community Health Service, walk-in clinic. 9am – 11am Tuesday & Thursdays. 10am – 12pm Sunday 17 October. No appointments required. Pre-fill your details using the Testing Registration form https://testtracker.covid19.dhhs.vic.gov.au/citizen-prefill
Moe – Melbourne Pathology (Asymptomatic testing only), walk through 8am – 5pm weekdays and 8.30am – 11.30am Saturdays. By appointment on 03 5127 2004.
Neighbouring Baw Baw Shire had 20 new cases of COVID-19, lifting that municipality’s total of active cases to 157.
South Gippsland has 13 total cases, Wellington 10, Bass Coast 5 and East Gippsland 2.
Regional Victoria recorded 193 new cases in the 24 hours up to midnight, nine per cent of the state’s total.
Mildura headed the list with 34, Greater Geelong had 28, Greater Shepparton 26 and Baw Baw Shire 20.
There are 1418 active cases of COVID-19 in regional Victoria.
