1pm
Bendigo Health chief executive Peter Faulkner has urged Bendigo residents who work at Don KR Castlemaine to present to a local COVID-19 screening clinic for testing.
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"Bendigo Health is prepared and it is very timely that we put in place our second screening clinic," Mr Faulkner said.
Bendigo Health operates two screening clinics - a walk-in clinic on Stewart Street, with free parking adjacent, and a drive-thru clinic, which can be accessed via Mercy Street.
Mr Faulkner said testing is being conducted on site at Don KR today and over the weekend.
"There is testing on the Don KR site on Friday and between 1 and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday," he said.
Earlier
SOME Don KR workers will be onsite at the Castlemaine meat processing facility until midnight, after a worker tested positive for COVID-19.
The worker and a social contact tested positive to the coronavirus on Thursday.
A DON Smallgoods spokesperson said the company had received clearance from the Department of Health and Human Services to have a limited number of staff working to stabilise the plant before its temporary closure.
About 15 per cent of its workforce will be at the facility on Friday.
The spokesperson said a very small number of staff would be on site from Saturday, for general maintenance.
DHHS is working with local health services to make sure all Don KR Castlemaine workers are tested.
The spokesperson said the meet processing facility would re-open when DHHS confirmed it was safe to do so.
They said there was no evidence you could become infected with COVID-19 via food or packaging.
DHHS has been contacted for comment.
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Nicholas Nakos
Politics reporter at the Bendigo Advertiser
Politics reporter at the Bendigo Advertiser
Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
