New COVID-19 cases in south-west as Hamilton cluster grows

As of Friday evening, 34 cases of COVID-19 have been linked to a country music event at the Hamilton Golf Club held on Sunday November 14.

Western District Health Service chief executive Rohan Fitzgerald said 19 of the positive cases were country music event patrons, one is a performer, four are workplace contacts, and ten are either social or household contacts of event attendees.

There were around 100 patrons at the event.

All cases are currently isolating and being monitored at home, after three people who were hospitalised earlier this week were discharged.

READ MORE: State's COVID cases rise as health authorities identify new virus variant

"Pleasingly all recent cases were at the event, or are primary close contacts," Mr Fitzgerald said. "With high testing numbers we are hopeful the outbreak will soon be under control.

"Over 1800 tests were conducted this week and we can't thank the community and the testing teams enough for their efforts."

Theatre services at the hospital will also return to normal from Monday.

The testing clinic at the Hamilton Showgrounds is open Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 12pm.

Pre-register for testing here: https://testtracker.covid19.dhhs.vic.gov.au/citizen-prefill

If you are isolating and need assistance with groceries or other necessities, please call the Helping Hands hotline on 1800 943 131 between the hours of 9am and 4pm, or email helpinghands@wdhs.net

Theatre services will return to normal from Monday.

"The last week has been a rollercoaster ride for the entire community," Mr Fitzgerald said.

"Learning to live with COVID-19, like anything takes a bit of getting used to.

"Over the last week we've seen that our community understands that while we're moving into the next phase of COVID, we still need to take precautions, and do what we can to protect those at risk.

"Minimising transmission where we can, whether that be by getting tested when we have symptoms, wearing a mask, or practicing hand hygiene, is still vitally important.

"The outbreak in Hamilton has impacted a range of vulnerable groups, and we are very grateful to our community for turning out in huge numbers so we can get a good understanding of transmission across the Southern Grampians.

"We have excellent vaccination rates in our region, with over 95 per cent of people double dosed, but the reality is some people remain vulnerable.

"Research tells us that vaccinations are reducing the severity of the disease and hospitalisations, which is what we have seen play out locally.

"I can't emphasise enough how important it is to get a PCR test at the Showgrounds if you have symptoms."

No positive cases have been identified at The Birches aged care facility, with all affected residents now out of precautions.

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Meanwhile a new Corangamite Shire COVID-19 case is being investigated by the public health unit, South West Healthcare said on Friday.

There is now:

No new exposure sites have been listed.

The Warrnambool COVID testing clinic at Merri Street is open 8am - 4pm by appointment only on 5563 1666.

The Caledonian Hotel in Hamilton has been listed as a Tier 1 exposure site for people who were at the venue on Thursday, November 18 from 5pm to 7.30pm.

Other high risk venues include:

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