East Wimmera Health Service (EWHS) advises that a Coronavirus case has been identified in the shire after an unwell person presented at their St Arnaud campus on Tuesday 14 September. The person tested positive to COVID-19 and is now isolating. All staff members who were in contact with this person have been tested. Services at St Arnaud hospital campus have been disrupted.
EWHS hosted a COVID-19 community information session via Zoom at midday today which was recorded and made available to the public via the websites and social media channels of EWHS and Northern Grampians Shire Council (NGSC).
At the information session, community members were advised:
- Exposure sites would be broadcasted via EWHS website and social media as they become known.
- No changes to Coronavirus restrictions for St Arnaud are proposed at this stage so community can continue to follow the regional Victoria COVIDSafe settings announced by the Victorian Government on 9 September.
- If you feel unwell even with the mildest of symptoms (headache, cold or flu-like symptoms, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath), please get tested and isolate immediately. Call 000 if your symptoms are severe and your condition is deteriorating.
Tier One Exposure site information released at 1.30pm Friday 17 September 2021
The following locations have been identified as exposure sites in St Arnaud:
East Wimmera Health Service - Main building
Tuesday 14 September 2021
6.15pm to 8.30pm
St Arnaud Medical Clinic
Wednesday 15 September 2021
10.30am to 12.30pm
A reminder to residents to adhere to the following COVIDSafe practices:
- Please wear masks outdoors, and indoors when not with own household.
- Check in using QR code at all locations to assist with contact tracing
- Maintain physical distance of 1.5m where possible
- Be very thorough with hand hygiene and mask wearing
- Ensure you are vaccinated
- Get tested and isolate if you have any symptoms whatsoever
EWHS is providing a drive up testing service at the St Arnaud hospital for members of the community who have symptoms. No booking is required for a test and residents are requested to remain in their car during testing. Access to testing is via the rear entrance of the hospital grounds located on Long Street and James Street.
Other EWHS testing sites (appointment only):
- Birchip 5477 7100
- Charlton 5477 6800
- Donald 5478 6200
- St Arnaud 5477 2100
- Wycheproof 5478 0700
The COVID-19 vaccine is available locally in St Arnaud by appointment only from:
- East Wimmera Health Service 03 5477 2100 or 03 5477 2129 or (EWHS Charlton reception can take a booking if lines are busy 03 5477 6800)
- St Arnaud Pharmacy 03 5495 1911
NGSC Mayor, Cr Murray Emerson reminded the community to remain calm and adhere to the advice provided by the State Government and the local health authorities.
"We have spent many months without a Coronavirus case in our shire and we are lucky that the affected person has dutifully followed government health advice and presented at the hospital for testing." Cr Emerson stated.
"East Wimmera Health Service has done an amazing job to ensure that the community was informed as soon as the positive case was known, to mitigate the risk and to provide them with access to a public forum.
"We all know what we need to do because we are reminded regularly. Vaccination is your first line of defence against this virus so please ensure you are vaccinated as soon as possible. Otherwise, the message remains consistent: get tested if you are unwell, wear your mask, stay physically distanced, check in everywhere you go and be fastidious with your hand hygiene.
"If you need local advice, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service staff for information or visit our website.
"It is also a pertinent time to remind residents that if you have COVID-19, are a close contact or are awaiting test results, you must stay at home to protect our community. You cannot go shopping for food or supplies, but relief support is available. Supermarkets offer priority access for home delivery to eligible customers, including seniors and people with health conditions and further information is available from the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 678 395.
"We will continue to distribute information on behalf of the health agencies as soon as it becomes known."
Information is available at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus or by contacting customer service on 03 5358 8700.
