General News
1 October, 2021
Thousands tested for COVID
A POSITIVE COVID-19 case in the Corangamite Shire sparked a rush of testing over the weekend.
A POSITIVE COVID-19 case in the Corangamite Shire sparked a rush of testing over the weekend.
The case was believed to have been notified on Friday with more than 30 exposure sites across Camperdown, Terang and Warrnambool announced last Friday evening.
Southwest Healthcare held pop-up testing clinics at the Camperdown football oval and the Warrnambool Friendly Societies’ Park Oval.
Two family members of the initial person who tested positive to COVID in Corangamite have since returned a positive result.
Five household members in Warrnambool have tested positive, which were not linked to the Corangamite cases.
A positive case for Colac was also announced on Wednesday.
Southwest Healthcare chief executive officer Craig Fraser confirmed the additional positive tests to media.
He said there were about 2100 tests conducted at Warrnambool’s Friendly Societies’ Park, and in Camperdown and Terang.
About another 700 tests were conducted on Sunday.
Mr Fraser has commended local communities on their responsiveness to get COVID-tested over the past few days.
“More than 70 percent of the weekend’s test results are already back and, so far, not one of them is COVID-positive,” he said.
“I want to thank everyone who has so far come forward to be tested, and thank those still isolating as they await their results. Everyone has rallied and we’re so grateful.
“There is little doubt the fact our local communities are amongst the highest-vaccinated in the state has put us in such a strong position for fighting any COVID outbreak and it’s a timely reminder to get vaccinated if you’re eligible.
“At the start of last week, 86 percent of our eligible community had been single-vaxed and 56 percent had been double-vaxed.”
The COVID-positive Corangamite Shire resident whose movements between Camperdown and Warrnambool earlier last week led to the naming of more than 30 exposure sites remains in isolation at home, as does the subsequent COVID-positive family members in the same household.
Mr Fraser thanked all SWH staff for their support in the testing clinics over the weekend.
The original case in Corangamite Shire was linked to a Ballarat positive case.
Camperdown exposure sites listed were:
Excuse Me Homewares, case visited between 12:40pm and 1.20pm on September 20;
The Courthouse Camperdown 179 Manifold Street Camperdown, case visited between 1.30pm and 2.05pm on September 20;
Ritchie’s IGA Camperdown, case visited between 1.20pm and 2.05pm on September 20;
Camperdown Country Roasts and Salads, case visited between 1pm – 2.55pm on September 20;
Camperdown Newsagency, case attended venue between 12.45pm and 1.20pm on September 20;
Snout In The Trough Food Co, case attended between 12.20pm and 1.10pm on September 20;
Camperdown Wellnest, case attended on September 21 between 4.30pm and 5pm
The Loaf and Lounge Camperdown, case attended on September 21 between 4pm and 4.40pm;
Lifeline Op Shop Camperdown, case attended on September 20 between 12noon and 12.35pm;
Kelly Reynolds Hair, case attended between 2pm and 5.30pm on September 21 (tier one – must isolate for 14 days);
Sunnyside Shop, case attended on September 20 between 12noon and 12.35pm;
Camperdown Bakery, case attended on September 21 between 3.30pm and 4.15pm;
Vinnies Camperdown, case attended between 3.30pm and 4pm on September 21; and
VM Body and Beauty, case attended between 2pm and 5.30pm on September 21.
Terang IGA was also listed as an exposure site on September 17 between 6.30pm and 7.15pm.
As of Thursday morning no additional exposure sites for the area had been listed.
