By Laura Michell
Door knockers from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will be out in Craigieburn today as part of the suburban testing blitz.
The door knockers will be speaking to residents about coronavirus symptoms and asking people to get tested.
Three new testing sites will open in Craigieburn from 10.30am today.
They will be at Newbury Child and Community Centre, 440 Grand Boulevard; Aitken Hill Community Centre, 20 Waterview Boulevard; and Connections@Hothlyn Centre, 120 Hothlyn Drive.
The testing sites will be open until 4pm.
Drive-through testing is also available at the Craigieburn Health Service from 9am-4pm.
Testing is free.
Hume council has urged everyone in the community to get tested,
“It helps find cases to reduce transmissions and helps the state government know what they’re dealing with,” the council said.
“Again, please do your part and get tested – even if you have mild or no symptoms.”
The testing blitz comes as a case of COVID-19 is confirmed at Mount Ridley College, Craigieburn.
In a letter to parents, seen by Star Weekly, principal Lino Pagano said a student had tested positive for the virus.
The school will be closed for cleaning over the next three days.
“DHHS has advised that all our students and staff are requested to remain at home while contact tracing occurs,” the letter said.
“I am very aware that this is a time of heightened anxiety for us all.
“We wish the student a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming them back to school next term once they have recovered.”
Mount Ridley College is the sixth Hume school to be closed for cleaning this week.
Craigieburn’s Aitken Hill Primary School was closed on Monday, with Aitken Creek Primary School in Craigieburn and Hume Central Secondary College closed on Tuesday. On Wednesday, a case was cofirmed in a student at Sunbury College. Yesterday, Ilim College confirmed two teachers from its secondary girls campus in Dallas and Glenroy campus had tested positive.
