Yesterday's reporting of another single positive COVID-19 diagnosis in Greater Bendigo brings to an end approximately nine weeks of there being no new cases reported in our immediate region.
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It also sends a sombre message, and a reminder, to everyone that the dreaded virus is still lurking amongst us.
Our first thoughts are with the person who received the news they had tested positive, and we wish them well in their recovery.
But for the rest of us, this incident should serve to remind us that the rules about social distancing, washing your hands often, not having too many visitors to your home and in general, obeying the rules laid out by the state government and health department.
COVID-19 may well be with us for a long while yet, and if so, it's clear we must find a way to co-exist alongside it.
That can only happen if e respect the rules.
While many of us want the restrictions that Victorians have existed under for the past three months or so to be eased further so that we can return to sport,enjoy more freedoms and generally experience a better lifestyle, yesterday's confirmation of a new COVID-19 case so close to home is the best answer as to what that most likely will not happen - for now.
Victorians can expect the surge in positive detections to continue for as long as the crackdown on testing continues.
It stands to reason, that the more people get tested, the more likely we are to arrive at additional cases.
And as much as we don't like it, and as much as other states might be thinking we are completely out of control, the sad reality is they should be thinking, could this happen here in my community?
While none of us may like this, the harsh reality is we are better of knowing that new cases are continuing to occur, and to therefore accept this is better than no ongoing testing regime at all, and a possible potential tidal wave of unchecked infections that could send us back to where this whole pandemic started.