Barwon Health jab hub to stay open

BARWON Health will continue to operate its Norlane vaccination hub, despite the state government announcing a number of Melbourne hubs will soon close after Victoria passed its 90 per cent double-dose jab milestone.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the health service intended to retain the hub on the former Ford site to deliver vaccines for the community, including booster doses.

“We are committed to ensuring everyone has access to vaccinations,” Ms Bibby said. “We will also continue to provide outreach to at-risk communities.”

Opening hours will vary according to demand.

Greater Geelong recorded a spike in Covid cases on Thursday, with 36 reported.

There were also five new cases for the Surf Coast, three for Colac-Otway and one in Golden Plains, while Victoria reported 1254 new cases and five deaths.

Ms Bibby said that at 9am on Thursday there were 14 patients in Geelong hospital with Covid-19, including six in intensive care.

She also said Torquay Community Health Centre, on the Surf Coast Highway, would convert the temporary testing location back to clinical services to support the reactivation of community health services from December 1.

This follows recent changes in how Covid-19 is managed, and in recognition of the region’s high vaccination rates.

“Barwon Health and Australian Clinical Labs will work together over summer to provide a Covid testing site at Spring Creek Reserve, Torquay,” Ms Bibby said.

“This testing site has been in operation since September and Australian Clinical Labs will have the ability to increase capacity when demand for testing increases.”

She said Barwon Health would provide special access testing for people unable to access drive-through tests.