Warrnambool coronavirus update: no active cases in the city

Infection prevention director Doctor Mark Page emphasised if public health measures aren't respected, the virus can spread quickly.

"We still have no vaccine and no treatment, it's no contact that prevents it from spreading from person to person," he said.

"Unfortunately in Melbourne it's the break down of the public health measures that led to the virus getting out and unfortunately they've had to go backwards into a lockdown situation."

Dr Page urged people to:

Dr Page said the Deparment of Health and Human Services had conducted contact tracing investigation and said no one in Port Fairy had been identified as having close contact of the family who tested positive to coronavirus on Tuesday morning.

The family of four cut their holiday short on Saturday and Dr Page said it would take two weeks to know if anyone had come down with symptoms.

"We use it as a spark and that won't be the last type of episode we have like that in our community," he said.

"There will be less with less travel from Melbourne, but we know that until we're months and months down the track with no virus, we're still going to see these little outbursts from time to time."

South West Healthcare is maintaining coronavirus screening for symptomatic people and infection prevention coordinator Jenny Lukeis reiterated that those tested need to isolate at home until their results are returned.

The hospital's visitor guidelines have also changed, now limiting the number of people in the building.

"We're asking no one under the age of 16 attends South West Healthcare unless you actually have an appointment," Ms Lukeis said.

"We only want people who are actually coming in for a treatment to attend South West Healthcare, we can't have extra people such as family groups attend appointments, we just don't have the room to hold anyone."

Ms Lukeis said the same applies for children, only one parents or guardian is allowed to accompany them.

Earlier, 3.25pm: Warrnambool has no active cases of coronavirus and there is no evidence of local transmission despite the massive second wave gripping Melbourne.

Warrnambool's total virus count remains at five but importantly has not increased in over 13 weeks.

Infection prevention director Doctor Mark Page and infection prevention coordinator Jenny Lukeis confirmed there were no active cases of the virus on Wednesday afternoon.

Dr Page said the family of four who tested positive to coronavirus after holidaying in Port Fairy left the south-west town on Saturday.

The family were asymptomatic while on holidays and cut their trip short after discovering a close family member has tested positive.

Dr Page said there was no evidence of local transmission in the community.

But, he emphasised the importance of doing the right thing, including physical distancing and washing hands.

"This won't be the last type of episode we see in our community," Dr Page said during a press conference at South West Healthcare.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly podcast The Booletin and Beyond:

READ MORE:

Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.