Home » News » Epping pharmacy closed after staff member tests positive for coronavirus

Epping pharmacy closed after staff member tests positive for coronavirus

An Epping pharmacy has closed for cleaning after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.

Quality Pharmacy at Pacific Epping shopping centre is closed until further notice after an employee tested positive for the virus on June 27.

In a note to retailers today, Pacific Epping said the staff member had worked at the store on June 22 and June 23.

The note said the pharmacy was working with the Department of Health and Human Services to trace people who may have been in close contact with the employee.

“The safety and wellbeing of our customers, retailers, staff, contractors and suppliers at Pacific Epping is always our overriding priority and we take this notification extremely seriously.”

It comes as Health Minister Jenny Mikakos this morning revealed that a staff member at Aitken Hill Primary School in Craigieburn had tested positive for the virus.

The school, which is currently closed for the term two holidays, will be shut to staff and tradespeople for the next 72 hours to allow deep cleaning to take place.

Staff and pupils are asked to stay home until contact tracing takes place.

Ms Mikakos also revealed that another confirmed COVID-19 case has been linked to the Wollert outbreak, taking the total number of people affected to 10.

The cluster has been linked to a number of social gatherings.

Meanwhile, a testing blitz is underway in Broadmeadows after the suburb was revealed as a coronavirus hotspot.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced the blitz last Thursday, revealing Keilor Downs and Broadmeadows as the worst suburbs for community transmission of the virus.

He said the government was striving to test 50 per cent of residents in both suburbs.

Testing will also be ramped up in Maidstone, Albanvale, Sunshine West, Hallam, Brunswick West, Fawkner, Reservoir and Pakenham, with those suburbs identified also having a “community transmission challenge”.

A team of 800 doorknockers will be deployed, talking to the community in affected suburbs and encouraging people to get tested, regardless of whether they have symptoms.

“People are going to be knocking on your door and they are going to be asking you to get tested. Please say yes. Please go and get tested, that is the most important thing people in those suburbs can do to help us contain this virus,” Mr Andrews said.

Hume mayor Carly Moore also urged Broadmeadows residents to get tested.

“We all need to do our bit to stop the spread of COVID-19. Nobody in our community is immune,” she said.

“Even if you have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, I urge you to please get tested. We need to know what we are dealing with.”

New testing centres opened at Broadmeadows Central and the Craigieburn Health Service last week, however, they have been plagued by lengthy queues.

Digital Editions


  • Major works to cause delays

    Major works to cause delays

    Major infrastructure projects will cause significant travel disruptions across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs throughout the autumn months as construction enters key phases on several…

More News

  • Eagles’ new challenge

    Eagles’ new challenge

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 497759 Many of the key pieces have returned but it will be a new look Craigieburn Eagles line up for the Big V women’s…

  • Footscray folk farewell

    Footscray folk farewell

    Luminaries of Melbourne’s folk music scene will be farewelled at ‘Footscray Folk: A Singout!’ on Saturday 7 March. The concert at Bluestone Hall at Borderlands Cooperative will celebrate Footscray based…

  • Sporting club grants up for grabs

    Sporting club grants up for grabs

    Local sporting clubs across Victoria are encouraged to apply for a fresh round of funding grants launched by the state government. On Wednesday, Community Sport Minister Ros Spence announced that…

  • Step into the dark

    Step into the dark

    A different way of being entertained is coming to Werribee in March with Transmission – into the dark. The sell-out hit of Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe involves audiences embarking on…

  • New anti-gang movement

    New anti-gang movement

    The Victorian Government has announced a $1 million investment into a new anti-gang program aimed at preventing the recruitment of young people into criminal networks. Managed by the Violence Reduction…

  • New MICA paramedics to strengthen emergency care

    New MICA paramedics to strengthen emergency care

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 303384 “Our MICA paramedics are some of the world’s best,” said Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas, as she welcomed the latest cohort of…

  • Community art promotes inclusion

    Community art promotes inclusion

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 536103 A vibrant collection of artwork by local residents, including people living with disability, seniors, those experiencing mental health challenges, and members of Culturally…

  • Local art on show

    Local art on show

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 505473 The Woodend Lions Club are gearing up for its annual art show. In its 51st year, the show will feature local artists of…

  • Community Calendar

    Community Calendar

    International Women’s Day Whittlesea Whittlesea Jumbunna Country Women’s Association is hosting an International Women’s Day event in Whittlesea Township from 1pm to 3pm on Friday 6 March at the Whittlesea…

  • My Place

    My Place

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 536627 Theresa Micallef has been the first face to greet visitors at hospitals across Hume for over 40 years. She spoke to Courtney Black…