By Laura Michell
Nineteen cases of coronavirus have been confirmed at a Craigieburn aged care facility.
Arcare Aged Care said 15 residents, two team members and two allied health professionals at its Craigieburn facility had tested positive for the virus. Three residents have been hospitalised.
In a statement, Arcare said the facility had been in lockdown since July 12 when it was notified that an allied health professional had tested positive to COVID-19.
“The allied health professional was asymptomatic when they presented for work and was tested as soon as they displayed flu-like symptoms,” the statement said.
“Arcare has put all appropriate measures in place to protect the wellbeing of residents and team members and immediately carried out swabbing to identify potential cases.
“We have put on additional senior team members to provide support at Arcare Craigieburn and we are doing everything possible to minimise any further exposure to residents and team members.
“We would like to reassure all families and friends of Arcare Craigieburn that our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
A student at Roxburgh College has also tested positive to coronavirus.
In a message to parents, seen by Star Weekly, the school advised that the case had been reported to the Department of Education and Training and was being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services,
“The school will be closed to all students, staff, members of the community and builders currently involved in the remodelling project,” the message said.
The school will run online classes for year 11, 12 and VCAL students while closed.
Four cases have also been linked to Nestle’s Campbellfield factory while three cases have been confirmed at Dairy Country in Tullamarine.
There are currently 286 active cases of coronavirus in Hume, with municipality recording 593 cases since the pandemic began – an increase of 11 since yesterday.
Whittlesea has recorded 16 new cases since yesterday, taking the municipality’s total to 253 cases, of which 155 remain active.
It comes as a new testing site was opened at DPV Health in Craigieburn.
The site at 55 Craigieburn Road will be open today and tomorrow between 9am and 2pm.
