COVID-19 CLAIMS GEELONG LIFE
■ Tragic day as local dies, cases climb ■ Where to get masks & what to pay ■ What you can and can’t do explained
CORONAVIRUS has claimed its first Geelong victim, with a COVID-19 patient receiving palliative care in hospital dying overnight on Thursday.
It is unclear if the person was a resident of Opal South Valley, the Highton aged-care home in the grips of an outbreak, and Opal Aged Care refused to say if the death was linked to the facility.
Nineteen new coronavirus cases were recorded across our region yesterday, including 15 new cases in Greater Geelong, which has 73 active cases.
GEELONG Baptist College has recorded a second case of coronavirus in the senior secondary part of the school.
The college said the second case would necessitate a new round of contact tracing that may take longer than originally anticipated.
The college announced it would be closed until August 14.
In a letter to parents, primary principal Judy Sobey and secondary principal Neil Wetmore said all members of the school community were selfisolating while a large number of staff and students underwent contact tracing.
“The GBC Board has made the decision for us to recommence online learning for a two-week period, starting Tuesday, 4th August until Friday, 14th August,” the letter read.
“The two days on either side of this weekend will provide the teachers time to organise and prepare to commence online learning on Tuesday, August 4.
“We thank you for your patience as this process is undertaken. Please do stress upon your children the importance of self-isolating until this process is complete.”
Four G21 region schools were closed on Friday as the number of active coronavirus cases continues to grow.
Meanwhile, Western Heights College parents were told around 10pm on Thursday that the school would be shut following a reported case of coronavirus.
The Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the reported case.
The school is expected to be closed as a precaution for 24 hours or until it receives advice to reopen.
Bellarine Secondary College, Belmont High School and Grovedale West Primary School were closed on Friday.
Belmont High has advised parents it will reopen on Monday.
Kardinia International College reopened on Friday after a suspected COVID-19 case returned a negative result. Clonard College also opened on Friday.
The new closures come after Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday said there was no health advice to indicate schools should close like those in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.
From Monday, all secondary school students will need to wear a mask or face covering on campus.
Parents Victoria executive officer Gail McHardy said some parents were concerned by school communications and the time it took for families to be notified of a reported case.
“Parents feel there is some inconsistent public messaging and this raises anxiety and fear,” Ms McHardy said.
“They just want to be clear what to do, whether the student needs to be tested and the whole household or not.
“They do not understand the primary versus secondary contacts response.
“This has played havoc and added angst.”
PLEASE DO STRESS UPON YOUR CHILDREN THE IMPORTANCE OF SELFISOLATING UNTIL THIS PROCESS IS COMPLETE.” A LETTER FROM GEELONG BAPTIST COLLEGE TO PARENTS