By Laura Michell
The number of coronavirus cases in parts of Hume continues to worry health officials, with the state’s chief health officer revealing a recent rise in cases in Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park.
On Friday, Professor Brett Sutton warned of “an uptick” in cases in Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park in recent days, despite the suburbs being under lockdown for the past two weeks. He also named Truganina as an area of concern for health officials.
“In these suburbs in particular, people really need to be aware if they have symptoms it could be coronavirus,” he said.
Hume continues to lead the state’s coronavirus count, recording a total of 416 cases as of Monday, of which 222 were active.
There were 137 cases in Whittlesea, of which 64 were active.
It comes as 11 cases have been linked to an outbreak at the Northern Hospital while a growing number of cases have been reported at schools, factories and retail stores across Hume and Whittlesea.
The outbreak at the hospital’s emergency department has infected nine healthcare workers and two household contacts, resulting in all staff being tested and the “continuous” deep cleaning of the emergency department.
A Northern Health spokeswoman said the hospital was operating reduced services and urged people to seek medical care from their GP for less-urgent conditions.
Seven Hume schools have been closed for cleaning since the start of the month, including Craigieburn’s Aitken Hill Primary School where an outbreak has grown to 10 people.
Thomastown’s Pacific Meats abattoir was closed on July 6 after a worker tested positive for the virus, requiring staff at the meatworks to undergo testing.
Two cases were detected in workers at Broadmeadows’ PM Fresh, while a worker at Chemist Warehouse’s distribution centre in Somerton tested positive, requiring the factory to be closed for cleaning last Thursday.
Cases have also been confirmed at Bunnings and KFC in Craigieburn, Coles stores at Roxburgh Park and Plenty Valley and Woolworths’ Laurimaur store.
The state government on Friday announced that Melbournians should consider wearing masks when they are outside their homes and unable to social distance to help stop the spread of the virus.
“With a virus this infectious, every bit helps and the simple action of wearing a facemask will help protect your family,
your neighbours and the most vulnerable in our community,” Professor Sutton said.
