WASTEWATER testing is set to be conducted in Gannawarra Shire following a report of a positive COVID-19 case.
Victoria’s Health Department confirmed there were no further COVID-19 cases following the report.
A health care worker was identified as a positive case on Tuesday.
A Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) spokesman said the local health unit was still investigating the source of the infection.
The Kerang Woolworths supermarket, which was classified as a tier 2 site, remained the only exposure site.
The person involved shopped there on September 25, between 3.22pm and 4.20pm.
It remained unclear whether the person worked while infected, or whether staff who worked with the infected person would be required to isolate.
DHHS could not confirm whether the infected person had any household contacts.
Northern District Community Health (NDCH) chief executive Mandy Hutchinson said almost 200 people were tested for COVID-19 in Kerang on Tuesday.
“We did 58 swabs at NDCH and a further 136 at the rapid-response (site at Riverside Park in Kerang).
“That’s a good effort.”
Another 90 people were tested on Wednesday.
The rapid-response clinic will open on Thursday, from 9am to noon, and again between 1pm and 3pm.
“While DHHS is still investigating, and there is the potential for more cases, the fact that there are no further exposure sites is good news,” she said.
Ms Hutchinson said the public health unit was co-ordinating Gannawarra Shire wastewater detection.
Ms Hutchinson said there was no need for the community to be worried about going into lockdown.
“It feels like at this stage it’s not a panic situation,” she said.
“Again, this has happened a few times and we seem to forget people that take it responsibly.
“If you get (COVID-19), it’s not something you’ve done badly, it’s just unfortunate.”
Ms Hutchinson said anyone who was worried about having COVID-19 should get tested.
Ms Hutchinson said NDCH was working with Bendigo Health about the potential to run another rapid-response testing clinic.
Early on Thursday there were 20 spots available at NDCH’s Kerang vaccine clinic and 10 were available in Cohuna on Monday.
Ms Hutchinson praised Gannawarra Shire Council for helping the health service set up the testing site.
A Woolworths spokesman told The Guardian the supermarket was notified that a customer with COVID-19 visited the Kerang store last Saturday.
“As a food retailer, we already have very high standards of cleaning and hygiene in place,” he said.
“Customers and team members should be assured they can continue to safely shop and work at our Woolworths Kerang store.
“Any customers who shopped in the store at this time should follow the health advice from the DHHS.”
