Breakwater plant to shut after shock test results
COLAC- OTWAY Mayor Jason Schram has called on the state government to lock down the shire’s schools and agedcare facilities amid a local testing blitz.
It came as four new coronavirus cases were recorded in the G21 region and Victoria recorded its worst daily increase of the pandemic on Monday — 532 new cases and another six deaths, taking the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 77.
The deaths were in patients aged from their 50s to 90s. Three new cases were reported for the Colac-Otway Shire, which had 51 cases.
More than 47 confirmed infections have been linked to an outbreak at the Australian Lamb Company.
Chief health officer Brett Sutton has reclassified all 750 abattoir workers as close contacts, despite advice two days earlier informing workers they weren’t required to isolate.
It’s understood employees attended supermarkets, local pubs and other venues for 48 hours after the first case was confirmed on July 17.
Cr Schram said the initial health advice and a slow government response could have a devastating impact on the community and its economy.
“The decision could be potentially disastrous,” he said.
“But the way the Colac community has been proactive in self-isolating would hold us in good stead. It would’ve potentially saved lives.”
He said the ADF had been a “massive help” in taking the pressure off Colac Area Health amid increased testing.
“We’re calling for stage three restrictions to apply to our schools and aged care facilities,” Cr Schram said. “We don’t want this getting into our nursing homes when they’re our most vulnerable residents.”
One new case was added to Greater Geelong’s tally on Monday, but one case was removed from the active total, which remained steady at 31.
Surf Coast and Golden Plains remained stable with four and five active cases respectively.
The closure of Grovedale West Primary, prompted by a second coronavirus case at the school, was extended.
The Education Department said the two cases were not related. A spokeswoman said cleaning at the school had been completed and the school community would be informed once DHHS had completed contact tracing and the school was able to reopen.
Covenant College Geelong announced it would temporarily return to online learning after a student was exposed to a positive case.
A letter to parents from Covenant College principal Sue Cox said the campus would close on Tuesday while the school conducted a deep clean. She anticipated a return to campus on Wednesday.
Kardinia International College will also close Tuesday as a precaution. In a message to parents late on Monday night, Kardinia said there was a “possible positive case” in its junior school.
Goodstart Grovedale early learning centre on Pioneer Road reopened on Monday, after the DHHS cleared it.