COVID-19 outbreak in Hamilton grows to seven confirmed cases
Comments from WDHS Chief Executive, Rohan Fitzgerald:
Local residents are asked to remain alert, with seven confirmed cases now linked to a country music event held at the Hamilton Golf Club last week.
The outbreak is expected to grow in the coming days, with over 160 people tested at the WDHS Drive-thru clinic over the weekend. In addition to the seven confirmed cases, five people have also returned positive rapid antigen tests at the WDHS Drive-thru clinic, and are awaiting PCR test results. Further cases are expected to be confirmed tomorrow.
Given the number of active cases, ongoing transmission in the community is likely, and we are urging people to get tested if they have symptoms, however mild. Several local cases are receiving support through the WDHS ‘Hospital in the Home’ program and three have been transferred to Geelong Hospital for care. The remaining cases are self-isolating at home. Home monitoring is being provided by the Community Nursing team, with medical support from our highly trained respiratory physicians. One of the positive cases volunteered at The Birches aged care facility last Thursday morning to assist with an activity. The Birches has enacted its COVID-safe plan, in consultation with the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre. Additional cleaning has been undertaken, staff personal protective equipment requirements have increased, resident mobility has been reduced and residents who came into contact with the positive case have been placed in precautions. Residents and staff have been rapid antigen and PCR tested, with preliminary results coming back negative. The Birches facility is closed to visitors and contractors until all residents and staff who had close contact with the confirmed case return negative PCR tests.Hamilton Base Hospital will reduce its Theatre activity on Monday and Tuesday to allow for staff deployment to COVID areas and surge clinics. All scheduled Theatre cases will be notified as soon as possible.
Due to the increase in active COVID-19 cases in our community, WDHS is re-locating its Drive-thru testing clinic to the Hamilton Showgrounds on Monday and Tuesday. The clinic will be open from 9am to 3pm, with entry via King Street. The Drive-thru clinic at Hamilton Base Hospital will be closed on these days.
Please note – new exposure sites will no longer be published. Instead, the Department of Health will use the new alert function in the Service Victoria app or direct SMS message to notify patrons of higher-risk venues where positive cases have been present – such as restaurants, gyms and nightclubs – and advise them to get tested.To find out more about what you need to do if you test positive to COVID-19, or if you’ve been told you are a contact, please click here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist