5pm
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Another five people have tested positive to COVID-19 in Shepparton, bringing the total number of cases linked to the outbreak to 12.
Goulburn Valley Health chief executive Matt Sharp said everyone who has tested positive were family members of the original case, a man in his 30s.
However the family members are from two separate households. The origin of the man's infection is unknown.
Read more: Bendigo business confirms COVID-19 exposure
All of the positive cases are isolating.
Mr Sharp said, "exposure sites will be published as more information becomes available and can be accessed at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-site."
Testing is available at:
- Acute Respiratory Clinic GV Health at Graham Street Shepparton until 7.45pm
- Shepparton Sports Precinct, corner of Numurkah Road and Brauman Street, Shepparton until 7.45pm
Additional resources are being dedicated to these two locations on Friday afternoon and evening to increase COVID-19 testing availability.
An additional drive-through testing site will open on Saturday at Shepparton Harness Racing Complex
Mr Sharpe urged any residents with even mild COVID symptoms to get tested and isolate.
More news:
St Mel's Primary School was closed on Friday as the original case - a man in his 30s - had two children at the school.
Greater Shepparton Secondary College confirmed students from its Wanganui and McGuire campuses had been identified as close contacts.
The school closed all its campuses, asking parents to collect their children as soon as possible.
All household members must isolate under a stop and stay order, meaning they must stay home until further notice by the Department of Health. They should not leave the house to be tested until further notification.
Other news:
3pm
Six additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Shepparton, on top of the original case - a man in his 30s - diagnosed this morning.
The Shepparton News is reporting the six cases are from the man's family though not all the cases lived in the same house.
The origin of the man's infection is not yet known.
11.40am
Parents have been asked to collect their students from St Mel's Primary School after someone in the school community tested positive to COVID-19.
In a letter to parents, the school indicated all members of the school community have been identified as close or casual contacts and must isolate.
All household members should also isolate.
Guardians were told to collect their children immediately.
"Please be advised we are doing everything we can in accordance with DH and government advice," the letter said.
"We will continue to keep you updated as soon as information comes through via email and School Stream."
Earlier
Regional Victoria's COVID-free streak has finally come to an end.
A confirmed COVID-19 case has been confirmed in Shepparton this morning.
The news comes on a day where Victoria confirmed 55 new COVID-19 cases.
Other news:
Traces of COVID-19 were first detected in Shepparton wastewater last week, which prompted a push for higher testing rates in the region.
The city has a population of about 50,000 people and is about 180 kilometres north of Melbourne.
Goulburn Valley Health chief executive Matt Sharp confirmed the case on Facebook on Friday morning.
He said the person was currently at home and isolating.
However, there is no further information about the movements of the person.
Meanwhile, also among the new infections is a police officer based at Knox station, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman told AAP the office will be professionally cleaned and police and support staff will be asked not to attend during this time.
"Victoria Police will work closely with the Department of Health as they conduct contact tracing to determine whether anyone else was in close contact with those who tested positive for coronavirus," she said.
AAP understands 12 officers are self-isolating after coming into contact with the infected case.
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