Benalla COVID numbers static as more vaccinators trained

Benalla Rural City’s active COVID-19 cases have remained somewhat static for the past week.

As of midday on Tuesday, February 15, there was 92 active cases in the Rose City.

This is actually 14 less than at the same stage last week, but in that time numbers have fluctuated slightly.

Since the pandemic began the Local Government Area has had 1125 cases in total.

This number represents just over eight per cent of the LGAs population.

Statewide that figure is 14.3 per cent, highlighting that Benalla’s high vaccination rate and willingness to follow restrictions has had an affect.

The state government is keen to keep vaccination rates high across Victoria, and has been recruiting more vaccinators.

More than 1000 Victorians have applied to help vaccinate people across the state as part of that push, which aims to expand the vaccination workforce to include health students, retired nurses and other trained workers.

As the state edges closer to 50 per cent of adults protected with a third vaccine dose, 130 additional vaccinators have completed training while more than 700 others are being trained — in order to boost vaccination rates and free up health workers to return to their normal duties.

The training surge came as the state prepared to end its coordinated Pandemic Code Brown (on February 14), which followed a steady reduction in hospitalisations.

Health Minister Martin Foley will consider further easing next week provided that hospitalisations and infections continue to fall.

“A third dose of the vaccine provides the strongest protection from this virus and we now have hundreds more trained staff who are able to help you get a jab,” Mr Foley said.