By Shelby Brooks
Pakenham locals have been out in droves getting tested for Covid-19, with new exposure sites identified across the community.
It follows multiple sites in the Pakenham and surrounding areas being named exposure sites last week.
The latest includes KFC Officer which was marked as a tier two site (case attended venue 24 September 11.00am to 4.30pm) and Bunnings East Pakenham 56-58 Bald Hill Road which was also identified as a tier two site (case attended venue 22 and 23 September 9.00am to 5.15pm both days).
Early last week three other locations in Pakenham were named tier two exposure sites in the last 14 days; St Antony Medical Centre, Pakenham Market Place Woolworths and Pakenham Place Coles.
Cardinia Shire Council currently has 112 active Covid-19 cases in the community, nine of which are new in the last 24 hours, as of 28 September.
Businesses across the Cardinia area are trying to do the right thing by letting the public know via social media they have had positive cases attend their stores, despite them not being listed on the Department of Health’s website.
Emerald Village Meats confirmed on Facebook they had a positive case attend the store Monday 20 September after 4pm
“We have been advised a positive case attended our store, before they showed symptoms or tested positive,” they wrote on Facebook.
“As soon as we were aware, we closed early. All our staff headed off to be tested and isolate, and all test results received back so far have been negative. We are waiting for DHHS to determine if we will be classed as an exposure site at all.”
Pakenham Produce and Saddlery wrote on Facebook they wanted to “ensure we exercise an abundance of caution.“
“We wanted to advise that a team member at Pakenham Produce and Saddlery has tested positive to Covid-19. The team member developed symptoms on Monday after last working at the store on Friday 17 September, which is prior to their infectious period,“ they said.
“Whist the Department of Health and Human Services conducts its investigation, we would advise that if you visited our store on Friday, you should monitor closely for symptoms.
“Even though we have not yet been deemed an exposure site by the DHHS, we have carried out precautionary cleaning and disinfecting.“
Officer Specialist School sent a message to parents and carers to let them know holiday programs would be closed today, Thursday 23 September, due to a positive Covid case attending the school on Thursday 16 September.
Westernport Child Care Centre and Kindergarten in Kooweerup has been listed as a tier 1 exposure site.
The case attended the venue an Rossiter Road on Friday 17 September from 8.15am until 5.20pm.
Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure.
Neighbouring Baw Baw Shire has also had a number of exposure sites listed in Moe, Morwell and Traralgon.
Closer to home, Bunnings Warehouse Warragul was named a tier two site (case attended venue 24 September 10.30am to 11.15am) and Woolworths Drouin (case attended venue 24 September 2.00pm to 3.15pm).
This has prompted West Gippsland Healthcare Group to open a rapid drive through testing site at Lardner Park Warragul from 8am to 5pm the 28 and 29 September for people in Baw Baw Shire who may have visited a tier two exposure site.
