He has requested extra resources to test about 3500 people a day.
The streets of Shepparton, which is forecast to reach a population of 70,000 this year, were all but abandoned on Monday and most businesses were closed. The usually busy Maude Street Mall, which runs through the centre of the city, was almost devoid of foot traffic.
The abandoned streets in the centre of Shepparton. Credit:Joe Armao
All of regional Victoria was sent into lockdown on Saturday as the Shepparton cluster grew.
In Wangaratta, 23 staff members at Northeast Health were in isolation on Monday after a man who tested positive for coronavirus attended the hospital. His case has been connected to the Shepparton cluster.
A hospital in Mansfield also treated a COVID-positive patient.
By Monday afternoon there were 50 exposure sites in Shepparton, five in nearby Invergordon, 11 in Bonnie Doon and one in West Bendigo.
Four drive-through testing sites have been set up in Shepparton. Credit:Joe Armao
Police were also investigating reports that hundreds of people attended a funeral in Shepparton on August 11, including mourners who travelled from a locked down Melbourne.
Mr Sharp said he was aware of the reports, but there was nothing to suggest any link to the local cluster.
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Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told radio station 3AW police were investigating whether a “large funeral” exceeded capacity restrictions.
Premier Daniel Andrews was not aware of the funeral and asked Victorians not to jump to conclusions, as he praised the Shepparton community for its response to the outbreak.
“The people of Shepparton are doing it very tough at the moment, but they’re doing an amazing job,” Mr Andrews said.
“They’re coming out to get tested in strong numbers, they’re getting vaccinated in strong numbers, they’re working with contact tracers.”
Mr Andrews said businesses in Shepparton were supporting fellow residents, including restaurants providing food to people who needed to isolate.
Lutfiyes Shish Kebab owner Azem Elmaz, who has for years handed out meals for people in need, has been making 30 to 40 hampers a day of free food to deliver to the doorsteps of isolating families around Shepparton with the help of volunteers.
Azem Elmaz has been provding free meals to people who have to isolate. Credit:Joe Armao
“Now it’s more, sadly, because people [are] isolated – they can’t come out, plus they’re doing it a bit tough, losing their jobs,” Mr Elmaz said.
“So, it’s getting a little bit tough, it’s getting a bit hard for the families.”
Mr Elmaz, who has a medal of the Order of Australia for his charity work through People Supporting People, said the streets were empty as the regional city experienced its third day in lockdown.
“To be honest, it’s sad. The street is totally dead. But we hope, we pray for good. We hope everything goes back to normal soon.”
Ethnic Council of Shepparton manager Chris Hazelman. Credit:Joe Armao
Ethnic Council of Shepparton manager Chris Hazelman said he had been working with Health Department officials to identify further sites for testing.
He said the council was working with vaccination centres to provide staff to translate for people who did not speak English.
Mr Hazelman said Shepparton residents had turned out in large numbers for testing.
“The response has been amazing,” he said.
“It absolutely swamped the testing stations from day one.”
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Source: SMH
