Surge in Covid numbers
Barwon region records 1000 new cases a day
COVID cases are surging in the region, with Greater Geelong recording the secondhighest number of active infections among Victorian municipalities.
On Friday, 613 new cases were reported for Greater Geelong, which had 3188 active cases.
The Health Department also reported 74 new cases for the Surf Coast (399 active), six for the Borough of Queenscliffe (34 active), 59 for Golden Plains (311 active) and 26 for Colac Otway (166 active).
Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said the number of people in the local community with Covid was increasing, with more than 1000 new cases a day for the past couple of days and more than 5000 active cases at any one time.
“We are seeing some new Covid positive notifications for people who have previously tested positive,” Professor Athan said.
“These cases could be due to persistent shedding or could be due to a possible reinfection, however these cases need detailed investigation to confirm if this is a new positive or not.
“We are also seeing rising numbers of respiratory related presentations for influenza and admissions of
patients with Covid are increasing.
“We anticipate the high demands on our service will continue into the winter months.”
On Friday, there were 31 Covid patients in Geelong hospital, with none of those in intensive care, Prof Athan said.
He urged people to get vaccinated against Covid and flu.
“The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against Covid and flu is to keep up to date with your BARWON Health is moving its vaccinations,” Prof Athan vaccination hub from the former Ford said. factory site in Norlane.
On Friday, 13,181 new In recognition of our region’s
Covid cases and 18 deaths impressive Covid-19 vaccination rates, were reported for Victoria. the team is packing up and relocating to
There were 73,727 active Belmont as vaccination dose numbers cases in Victoria. continue to decline.
The Health Department The move will mean the newly said 66.8 per cent of Victorians renamed Barwon Health Vaccination aged 16 and over had received Centre – in the former civic function three doses of a Covid19 centre at the rear of the Belmont vaccine, while 94.6 per Community Health Centre on Reynolds cent of Victorians aged 12 and Rd – will expand vaccinations offered to over had received two doses. include Covid-19.
VAX HUB’S ON THE MOVE
The Norlane vaccination hub opened in April, 2021.
Barwon South West public health unit co-director Deb Kay said the move to Belmont was an indication of how far the community had come in the fight against Covid-19.
“Our community has responded very well to Covid-19 vaccinations, meaning there is only a very small group of people in the region currently unvaccinated,” Ms Kay said.
“This means we are now able to downsize the program and the venue of our Covid-19 vaccines.
“Our immunisation team has been offering childhood immunisations and flu vaccinations here for a number of years, so it is a natural progression for our Covid-19 vaccination team to make the move to bring vaccinations together in one location.”
The last vaccination at the former Ford site in Norlane will take place on Saturday, May 21, and the door to the Barwon Health Vaccination Centre in Belmont will open on May 25 at 8.45am.
The new location will continue to offer walk-ins and bookings for Covid-19 vaccinations for all people aged over five.
Bookings for the centre can be made by calling
1800 675 398 or online at portal.cvms.vic.gov.au