COVID cases continue to grow

Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash

Tara Murray

COVID-19 cases in the greater Geelong region continue to cause concern.

The region recorded 16 new cases on Thursday, the second time in three days it had recorded that many cases.

It means there are more than 80 active cases in the region.

It comes as the state recorded 1638 cases on Thursday, the second highest total throughout the pandemic.

Among the new local exposure sites is Geelong arena.

City Hall confirmed a positive COVID-19 case attended the arena on Monday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, community life director Robyn Stevens said the positive case had attended the site between 9am and 2.30pm on October 4.

“The city has restricted access to Geelong Arena for a deep clean, after a community member who attended the facility was confirmed as a positive COVID-19 case,” the statement said.

“The individual had attended Geelong Arena via the Victoria Street entrance on Monday 4 October. The eastern (Victoria Street) section of the facility… Is now closed and cleaning and disinfection work has begun.

“The city has contacted all tenants, contractors and employees who attended that section of Geelong Arena during the potential exposure period.

“They have been asked to get tested for COVID-19 and to isolate while they await further instructions from the Department of Health.”

Meanwhile, greater Geelong has broken through the 90 per cent barrier of people receiving their first vaccine dose according to new data.

Australian government health data, released on Monday, showed that 90.6 per of people over the age of 15 in greater Geelong had received at least their first dose.

At the same time 61.4 per cent of people have received their second dose.

The Surf Coast last week became the second local government area in Victoria to pass 70 per cent of double dosed.

As of Monday, 71.8 per cent of people over the age of 15 in the area are fully vaccinated.

Queenscliffe, which has been the leader throughout much of the vaccine roll out, sits at 87.7 per cent double dosed.

Both local government areas have more than 95 per cent of people over the age of 15 with at least one vaccine dose.

Overall, 82.3 per cent of people over the age of 15 in Victoria have received their first dose, while 52.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.