While many in the community have lamented the restrictions that have been imposed by the State Government, the positive testing of two staff members and a resident at an aged care facility in Shepparton clearly indicates that all effort must be made to restrict the transmission rate through individual isolation.
Shepparton Villages, the largest aged care group in the region has advised that all from Maculata Place are now isolating and the facility is in complete lockdown.
Greg Pullen, the interim CEO in a statement said, “Unfortunately, a second staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. However, the Commonwealth Department of Health has confirmed that the second staff member has not worked at Shepparton Villages during their infectious phase. So, I want to reassure you that we still have only the original single exposure.”
Outside of the aged care home, there are several other people who have tested positive.
A student at the Wanganui Campus of the Greater Shepparton Secondary College linked to the Maculata staff has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the school, contact tracing, led by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is ongoing and the school will remain closed and undergo deep cleaning.
Students and parents have been asked to stay away from the campus.
In a statement published on the school’s website on Sunday, executive principal, Genevieve Simson said, “I remind you to please respect the privacy of our student who tested positive to Co ronavirus (COVID-19) and encourage everyone to continuing supporting each other during this time.”
According to the statement, the DHHS may request that some staff and students get tested at a later date when they have more information. However, at this stage staff and students do not need to seek testing unless they develop symptoms.
Schools across Victoria will continue to teach via remote learning for the remainder of term three.
Linked to the Shepparton Villages cases, there has been a person working at Unilever in Tatura who tested positive.
The message from CEO of GV Health, Matt Sharp is, “People should stay at home until they get the result of their COVID-19 test. Do not go about your normal day-to-day activities such as work or going out in the community.
Please do the right thing and do not place your family members, friends and the broader community at risk.
