By Luke Voogt
Five tier two exposure sites emerged at Corio Village shopping centre on Tuesday in connection to the most recent COVID-19 case in Lara.
Barwon Health on Tuesday morning confirmed that contact tracers had identified five recent exposure sites “connected to a known positive case in Lara”.
Barwon Health confirmed the case, the second in Lara in a fortnight, on Monday.
“We are … supporting a new positive case in Lara who is isolating with their family,” Barwon South West Public Health Unit director Eugene Athan said that day.
The shopping centre’s management posted the exposure sites on Tuesday prior to the official Barwon Health confirmation later that morning.
The tier two sites include:
- Corio Village Shopping Centre – common mall areas: 12.15pm-2pm
- Chemist Warehouse: 12.15pm-1.45pm
- Coles: 12.20pm-1.30pm
- Corio Fruit and Veg Market: 12.55 pm-1.30 pm
- McDonalds: 1.00pm-1.45pm
Lara Physiotherapy Health Network also advised its clinic had been listed as a tier two exposure site from 4pm to 5.30pm on Monday, August 16, and 5.35pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday, August 17.
Barwon Health has yet to provide further information on this but a spokesperson said the health provider expected to add further exposure sites during the day.
“If you have attended the venues at the times listed you must get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result,” Professor Athan said.
“Additional exposure sites will be advised as soon as possible, once investigations are completed.
“Barwon Health’s testing sites have extended hours to cater for increased demand.
“It’s also an important step to get vaccinated if you are eligible and want to help protect the community, while also staying informed on outbreaks and exposure sites as the situation develops.
“The community is reminded that you must isolate after having a test – this means you cannot get vaccinated whilst awaiting a test result.
“Anyone who visited an exposure site outside of the listed times does not need to get tested unless they have symptoms.
“Wearing masks, hand hygiene and social distancing remain the most effective ways to reduce transmission. No patients have been admitted to University Hospital Geelong with COVID-19.”
Testing information: barwonhealth.org.au/coronavirus/where-to-get-tested
