One new local COVID case overnight

BALLARAT Health Services provided a weekend COVID-19 update this afternoon, stating one new local case had been discovered overnight.

BHS acting CEO Melanie Robertson said there were still 40 Ballarat exposure sites as of midday today, Sunday, 19 September, although some other stats had shifted.

“We have 12 active cases in Ballarat… and one in Daylesford,” she said.

“We have 14 positive cases in the Grampians region; one more than yesterday. We have a new confirmed case…but we certainly expect additional local exposure sites will come online.

“We have zero people in care at the moment within the hospital at Ballarat Health Services, but continue to provide services through our BHS At Home program.”

BHS and Grampians Public Health Unit infectious diseases expert Dr Aaron Bloch said the case identified as positive last night is a known contact of a previous exposure site.

This new case seems to be linked to a Melbourne outbreak, and not the three main COVID-positive households in Ballarat.

Approximately 1800 people were tested for COVID-19 across the city yesterday, Saturday, 18 September.

“We need people to continue to come forward for testing. Don’t wait for notification about visiting an exposure site. Don’t rely on a text message or a phone call,” Ms Robertson said.

“Continue to check exposure sites. If you know you’ve been to a site at that date or time, or have even the mildest of symptoms, please come forward and get tested.

“Our contact tracing team is under immense pressure.”

Visit our Things You Need to Know about COVID-19 in Ballarat article an updated list of exposure sites and information.