Home » News » Thousands turn out for testing

Thousands turn out for testing

Thousands of people turned out at testing sites last week, following a COVID-19 scare in the northern suburbs.

A Wollert man returned a positive test on Tuesday, May 11 after contracting the virus in hotel quarantine in Adelaide.

The man, who returned to Melbourne on May 4, developed symptoms on May 8 and was tested on May 10.

The man travelled on the Craigieburn train line on May 7, sparking concerns that hundreds of passengers had been exposed to the virus.

He visited Indiagate Spices and Groceries and Woolworths in Epping on May 8 while infectious, as well as Epping 7Eleven on May 6 and May 8.

Northern Hospital’s drive-through testing site in Epping was a full capacity three hours after opening last Wednesday, after hundreds of locals turned out for testing.

“On Wednesday, May 12, 967 tests were conducted at Northern Health testing sites,” a Northern Health spokesperson said.

“The following day, 568 tests were conducted.

“There were also thousands of tests by other providers in the region and adjacent areas.”

The Department of Health had expanded testing hours at a number of sites across the northern suburbs.

On Thursday, the department said that all three of the man’s primary close contacts had returned negative tests but would remain in isolation for 14 days.

Fifteen people who visited Indiagate at the same time as the man, and 27 Woolworth’s customers, had also returned negative tests, the department said.

Indiagate and Woolworths have been identified as tier one exposure sites by the state government. Anyone who visited Indiagate between 5-6pm and Woolworths between 5.40-6.38pm on May 8 must get tested and quarantine for 14 days.

7Eleven has been identified as a tier two exposure site between 6.30-7pm on May 6 and 11.10-11.40am on May 8.

The Craigieburn train line is also a tier two site, with the man travelling from Craigieburn station to Southern Cross between 5.28- 6.07pm and from Flinders Street to Craigieburn between 10.20-11.05pm on May 7.

Anyone who was on either train or at 7Eleven at the same time as the man must get tested and isolate until they return a negative result.

Digital Editions


  • 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…

More News

  • 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…

  • Talent League fixture released

    Talent League fixture released

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 471376 The Talent League seasons will kick off in late March. The boys season will kick off on the weekend of 21 March and…

  • Cleopatra performance showcases local talent

    Cleopatra performance showcases local talent

    A powerful new ballet is set to captivate audiences in Caroline Springs this March, as a cast of passionate adult performers present Cleopatra, The Last Pharaoh at the Catholic Regional…

  • Teenage artist reimagines mother nature

    Teenage artist reimagines mother nature

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 536538 At just 19 years old, Maryam Zuhair has publicly exhibited her first collection of paintings, ‘Mother Nature’s Creation’ in Craigieburn. Zuhair said she…

  • Skate park takes air

    Skate park takes air

    The new Olivine Skate Park in Donnybrook has officially opened, offering a vibrant space for local young people and families to enjoy. The park’s opening was celebrated at a community…

  • Push for women’s refuge

    Push for women’s refuge

    The Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) charity is calling for community support to help establish a women’s and children’s shelter in Hume. WCS chief executive Annabelle Daniel said there is a…

  • From the archives

    From the archives

    Star Weekly looks back on the pages of our predecessors. 10 years ago 22 March, 2016 Hume has experienced a 43 per cent hike in gun crime in 12 months,…

  • State urged to protect green wedges

    State urged to protect green wedges

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 246677 Whittlesea councillors have called on the state government to protect green wedge areas from urban sprawl after council approved a plan for a…