By Laura Michell
One hundred new coronavirus cases have been detected in Whittlesea and Hume since yesterday, as the number of cases linked to Epping Gardens continues to grow.
Department of Health and Human Services data shows Hume has recorded 943 cases of COVID-19 – an increase of 47 from yesterday. There are 460 active cases.
Whittlesea has recorded 629 cases, up 55 from yesterday. There are 435 active cases.
There are now 115 cases of coronavirus linked to Epping Gardens.
Twenty-five new cases have been recorded at the aged care facility since yesterday.
The centre is currently being run by Austin Health staff.
New COVID-19 cases have also been linked to Arcare Aged Care in Craigieburn.
The centre has been linked to 45 cases.
Six residents have died after testing positive for the virus.
In a statement yesterday, Arcare chief executive Colin Singh said the most recent death was a resident who had tested positive to the virus and then returned a negative test.
“Arcare is deeply upset that, despite putting all appropriate measures in place, this terrible disease has claimed another life,” he said.
“We are carefully managing and monitoring the situation at Arcare Craigieburn and a further round of testing was conducted yesterday.”
New cases have also been linked to an outbreak at Bertocchi Smallgoods’ factory in Thomastown, with the total number of infections linked to the site now at 134.
Six cases have been linked to the Services Australia office in Epping, while another six have been linked to Capral Aluminum in Campbellfield.
