Regional communities collapse in northwest Victoria as exhibition sites increase

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Communities in northwest Victoria are on the alert as the list of exhibition sites continues to grow.

A man in his 30s contracted COVID-19 while on reserve for MCC members during the Carlton-Geelong clash at the MCG on July 10.

He tested positive on Saturday night after returning to Mildura – but had been in the community for eight days undetected.

It had been over 15 months since there had been a positive case in Mildura.

There are now 11 exhibition sites in Mildura, one in Ravenswood and another in Wycheproof – a full list can be found here.

Bendigo Health sent a rapid response team to assist Sunraysia Community Health with testing and allow the service to focus on immunization.

Sunraysia Community Health Clinic program manager Shelley Foulkes said the community was reacting quickly after the Mildura case was announced.

“We did over 460 tests yesterday afternoon.”

The regional city of Mildura had not recorded any local cases of COVID-19 since early 2020.(

ABC Mildura-Swan Hill: Christopher Testa

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More resources needed

Despite the rapid response and assistance from Bendigo Health, the Mildura Base Hospital is requesting more resources from the Victorian Health Department.

Forty-five hospital staff are now in isolation after the COVID-positive man presented to the hospital’s emergency department on Saturday night.

Hospital CEO Terry Welch said the hospital had to cut some services this week to keep its emergency department running.

“Unfortunately, we will be doing very few elective surgeries this week. We will only be doing emergency surgeries and Caesarean sections, obviously,” he said.

“But other than that, these are the changes we had to make just because of the isolation of the 45 employees and the impact on resources.”

Mr Welch urged people not to go to the emergency department if it was not an emergency.

“We don’t want people with minor ailments that could be treated by a GP. We need space this week,” he said.

He said the hospital should be a level 1 exposure site, but the health ministry had not listed it as such.

“This will definitely be a talking point to clarify,” Welch said.

“Anyone who needs testing should have received an SMS from the public health contact tracing unit.”

Front exterior of a bakery in white and black
Anyone who visited Bakery on Broadway in Wycheproof on July 11 between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. should get tested and self-isolate immediately.(

Source: Facebook

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“Businesses are nervous”

Buloke Shire Mayor Daryl Warren said there was a sense of apprehension among residents as the county had never had a case of the coronavirus.

Wycheproof Bakery on Broadway was rated a Level 1 site for anyone who visited on July 11 between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

“One thing I know, as a user of the bakery, is that they are very strict on the use of their code, which is reassuring that the information will be available,” Mr. Warren said.

East Wimmera Health Service has now set up a drive-thru clinic at Wycheproof Hospital.

Mr Warren said he had spoken to several business owners, who were concerned about the impact this could have on the local economy.

“This is one of the real concerns across the region, especially now that we have a Tier 1 site,” he said.

Large standard gas station with many bowsers
Anyone who visited the Caltex in Ravenswood on July 11 between 12:45 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. will need to get tested and self-isolate for 14 days.(

Supplied: Caltex

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Greater Bendigo City Mayor Jennifer Alden said sentiment was similar in the area, after the Caltex gas station in Ravenswood was listed as a Level 1 site.

Anyone who visited on July 11 between 12:45 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. will have to be tested and self-isolate for 14 days.

“People are worried and as these epidemics get closer to us it is causing anxiety,” she said.

But she said the region was well prepared to respond, especially after last year.

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