JULY 14, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Concern as cases rise By Laura Michell he number of coronavirus cases in parts of Hume continues to worry health oicials, with the state’s chief health oicer revealing a recent rise in cases in Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park. On Friday, Professor Brett Sutton warned of “an uptick” in cases in Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park in recent days, despite the suburbs being under lockdown for the past two weeks. He also named Truganina as an area of concern for health oicials. “In these suburbs in particular, people really need to be aware if they have symptoms it could be coronavirus,” he said. Hume continues to lead the state’s coronavirus count, recording a total of 398 cases as of Sunday, of which 209 were active. here were 125 cases in Whittlesea, of which 52 were active. It comes as 11 cases have been linked to an outbreak at the Northern Hospital while a growing number of cases have been reported at schools, factories and retail stores across Hume and Whittlesea. he outbreak at the hospital’s emergency department has infected nine healthcare workers and two household contacts, resulting in all staf being tested and the “continuous” deep cleaning of the emergency department. A Northern Health spokeswoman said the hospital was operating reduced services and urged people to seek medical care from their GP for less-urgent conditions. Seven Hume schools have been closed for cleaning since the start of the month, including Craigieburn’s Aitken Hill Primary School where an outbreak has grown to 10 people. homastown’s Paciic Meats abattoir was closed on July 6 ater a worker tested positive for the virus, requiring staf at the meatworks to undergo testing. Two cases were detected in workers at Broadmeadows’ PM Fresh, while a worker at Chemist Warehouse’s distribution centre in Somerton tested positive, requiring the factory to be closed for cleaning last hursday. Cases have also been conirmed at Bunnings and KFC in Craigieburn, Coles stores at Roxburgh Park and Plenty Valley and Woolworths’ Laurimar store. he state government on Friday announced
Main: A police border checkpoint in Kalkallo. (Joe Mastroianni) 211041_01 Above left: Drive-thru testing in Keilor. (Joe Mastroianni) 210988_11 Right: Restaurants have been forced to close again. (Pictures: Stewart Chambers)
that Melburnians should consider wearing masks when they are outside their homes and unable to social distance to help stop the spread of the virus. “With a virus this infectious, every bit helps and the simple action of wearing a face mask will help protect your family, your neighbours
and the most vulnerable in our community,” Professor Sutton said. Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions are in force across metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire. “hese restrictions have become necessary because of the sharp increase in cases,” he said.
“Restaurants and cafes are now takeaway and delivery services only, and beauty and personal services are closed. Entertainment and cultural venues are also closed. Community sport may not occur. “hese are tough measures, but this virus is not selective.”
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