Last week DON Smallgoods confirmed its first case of COVID-19 case at their facility in Castlemaine. The company took immediate action to implement their response plan in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Ten cases have now been linked to Don KR.

An Incident Control Centre has been established in Castlemaine. Castlemaine Health is working with the Mount Alexander Shire Council, CHIRP and various government agencies including DHHS and emergency services to support the community at this time.

Castlemaine Health has been working with the DHHS (Bendigo) and Maryborough District Health services to test all Don KR staff for COVID-19. Tests have been conducted over the weekend onsite at Don KR in Castlemaine, at Bendigo Health, Maryborough District Health Service and elsewhere for staff who work outside these areas.

All Don KR staff have been told to isolate until they have their results, which is expected to take around 2-3 days. Next steps will be determined by DHHS on the basis of the test results.

Close contacts have been contacted and tested and told to remain in isolation. Further tracing is occurring. All confirmed cases will be retested before they are able to exit isolation.

While there is understandable concern in the community, we should all continue to follow the DHHS guidance:

• Follow the simple rules of social distancing (stay 1.5 metres apart), practice good hand hygiene and cover your mouth and nose if you sneeze.
• Wear a face mask or covering when leaving home, particularly in places where it’s difficult to stay 1.5 metres away from someone.
• Seek medical advice and get tested if you show any symptoms of coronavirus or cold and flu, no matter how mild, and stay home and self-isolate while you wait for your test results.

The Victorian Government has announced a support payment available to eligible Victorian workers who have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine at home if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 or are a close contact of a confirmed case.

A number of DHHS fact and information sheets are available from the Castlemaine Health website to support the community at www.castlemainehealth.org.au/coronavirus/fact-sheets.

• Cleaning and disinfecting to reduce COVID-19 transmission
• Fact Sheet – What can you do to stay safe from Coronavirus
• Fact Sheet – Close Contact Coronavirus
• How to wear a face mask
• What to do if you’ve tested positive for coronavirus-COVID-19

Where to get tested

If you live locally, GP clinics are testing registered patients who are not symptomatic. If you’re not registered with a local GP clinic or you are experiencing symptoms, the nearest testing facilities are Bendigo Health and Maryborough District Health Service.

Bendigo Health has two testing clinics. Please note there may be delays given the number of tests currently being conducted so remember to be patient and kind to staff.

• Entry to drive-through COVID-19 screening clinic is now via the Anne Caudle Centre driveway, 100 Barnard Street. The drive through clinic is open from 7.30am – 7.30pm daily.
• Walk-in clinic in the old Emergency Department on Stewart Street, which is open from 10am-5.30pm, seven days a week. Free parking is available across the road.