LOCALS should remain alert for COVID-19 symptoms after 12 confirmed positive cases have been linked to a country music event held at the Hamilton Golf Club last week.

Investigations suggest the virus spread through the Hamilton Country Music Club Day held at the Hamilton Golf Club on Sunday, November 14, between 12.30-4.30pm.

Patrons and staff who attended this event during these times should get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.

In addition to the 12 confirmed cases, five people have also returned positive rapid antigen tests at the WDHS Drive-Thru clinic on Sunday and are currently awaiting their PCR (pathology) test results.

WDHS chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald said he expected cases numbers to continue to increase.

“The outbreak is expected to grow in the coming days, with over 160 people tested at the WDHS Drive-thru clinic over the weekend,” he said.

“Given the number of active cases, ongoing transmission in the community is likely, and we are urging people to get tested if they have symptoms, however mild.”

Of the 12 confirmed cases, three have been transferred to Geelong Hospital for care, with the remaining cases either self-isolating at home or receiving support through the WDHS ‘Hospital in the Home’ program.

11 of the positive cases are locals, with one person who attended the event residing in another region.

Mr Fitzgerald said an active case had visited The Birches aged care facility on Thursday, November 18, with the centre now taking the appropriate health measures.

“The Birches has enacted its COVIDSafe plan, in consultation with the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre,” he said.

“Additional cleaning has been undertaken, staff personal protective equipment requirements have increased, resident mobility has been reduced and residents who came into contact with the positive case have been placed in precautions.

“Residents and staff have been rapid antigen and PCR tested, with preliminary results coming back negative.

“The Birches facility is closed to visitors and contractors until all residents and staff who had close contact with the confirmed case return negative PCR tests.”

Hamilton Base Hospital will reduce its theatre activity today to allow for staff deployment to COVID-19 areas and surge clinics.

The WDHS Drive-Thru testing clinic has also been relocated to the Hamilton Showgrounds today, due to the increase in demand.

The clinic is open from 9am-3pm, with entry via King Street, while the Drive-Thru clinic at Hamilton Base Hospital is closed.

As the Department of Health is no longer publishing exposure sites, locals will receive an alert via the Service Victoria app or a direct SMS message to notify them of higher-risk venues where positive cases have been present, such as restaurants, gyms, and nightclubs, so they can get tested.

It comes as the Southern Grampians Shire has more than 95 per cent of its population fully vaccinated.

Victoria recorded 1029 active cases of COVID-19 and three deaths in the last 24 hours, with 89.3 per cent of Victorian’s aged 12 years or older now fully vaccinated.

To find out more about COVID-19 visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist.