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Buller and Stirling hang in: 40 COVID tests at Mansfield today

snow action team 29.07.2020

Buller and Stirling are hanging in open and seems like people are doing the right thing to keep saving the season there after Monday’s confirmed case of a staff member who tested positive. 40 tests were conducted at 2 clinics in Mansfield today, and contact tracing has proceeded well.

A bit more snow and Stirling will hopefully go like this again soon and we’ll still be able to get up there © Mt Stirling

Here’s the latest update from Mt Buller Mt Stirling Resort Management:

The Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) report today is that there is one active coronavirus (COVID-19) case within the Mansfield Shire and none at Mt Buller & Mt Stirling. 
This is the same case we have been communicating about since Monday. 

We reported yesterday that eight close contacts had been identified within staff at the Mt Buller & Mt Stirling Resort Management Board (RMB) and members of the public who had dinner at the Merrijig Motor Inn on Wednesday 22 July. A close contact is somebody who had face-to-face contact with a confirmed case for more than 15 minutes, or shared a closed space with a confirmed case for more than two hours. We’re pleased to advise that five of these have returned a negative result. All eight will remain in isolation for a total of 14 days and must also receive a negative result to another test taken on the 11th day. While not required by DHHS, we also reported that the RMB decided to have an additional seven staff tested who were secondary contacts, with the Merrijig Motor Inn deciding to test six staff who could be considered secondary contacts. We’re also pleased to advise that two of these have returned a negative result. We will advise further testing results as they become available. 

It is great to see that people within the Mansfield Shire and Mt Buller & Mt Stirling are continuing to take testing seriously. The Mansfield Hospital, Mt Buller testing clinic, and the two Mansfield medical clinics completed a total of 40 tests today. As the Premier continues to reinforce, anyone with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms should get a test and stay home while waiting for results, and anyone who feels unwell should stay home. 

We remind everyone of the importance of washing/sanitizing their hands regularly and maintaining physical distancing. If people within regional Victoria find it difficult to maintain 1.5 metres distance, then they should wear a face mask. We also remind people from Melbourne and Mitchell Shire that restrictions apply and they are not permitted to travel to Mt Buller & Mt Stirling. Visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more information.

This was the report from Monday:

On Monday 27 July, the Mt Buller & Mt Stirling Resort Management Board became aware that a staff member in its outdoor team had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The staff member became unwell on Thursday 23 July, left work, was tested, and has been in isolation since then. The source of the infection is not yet known. 

DHHS has advised that contact tracing will investigate all close contacts in the 48 hours prior to the staff member becoming unwell. The staff member attended work on Wednesday 22 July but did not work on any of the three days prior. Initial contact tracing has identified four close contacts, all of whom have been contacted for testing and are in isolation. Close contacts of those four people are also in isolation pending further advice from DHHS.  

We are working closely with DHHS and will continue to keep you updated. The Mt Buller testing clinic will remain open beyond the usual hours, and anyone who feels unwell or is concerned should arrange to have a test and isolate immediately. Please do not come to work if you feel unwell. 

A reminder that if you are from Melbourne and Mitchell Shire Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions apply and travel to Mt Buller & Mt Stirling is not permitted.