Colac Otway Shire Council’s Gellibrand Street office is undergoing a deep clean after a council staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
The council confirmed the positive result this afternoon. The worker had been in isolation since Monday after feeling unwell.
The council’s Gellibrand Street is a smaller building that’s separate to the main Rae Street office and it has a limited number of staff.
Most council staff have been working from home in recent weeks due to Colac’s coronavirus outbreak.
Buy the Colac Herald print edition, which has full coverage of all the region’s news and sport.
Where To Buy
See the council’s full statement below:
Colac Otway Shire Council has today confirmed that a staff member has returned a positive COVID-19 result.
Colac Otway Shire Council have had extensive infection control and procedures in place since March to minimise any impact or spread of COVID19 in the workplace or wider community.
Colac Otway chief executive Peter Brown said council had introduced its COVID response plan immediately after receiving advice of the employee’s positive test.
“I wish to commend the affected employee of their response to minimise any spread to their work colleagues or community,” Mr Brown said.
“The employee felt unwell on Monday, was tested as soon as possible and self-isolated, along with their family, before receiving the result last night.
“They will continue to isolate in line with government advice, and we urge everyone in our community to follow these vital steps to stopping the spread of COVID19.”
“A deep clean of the Gellibrand Street office has commenced and support for the affected employee and any contacts is our priority.
“We are confident that any impact on other employees will be minimal and the contact tracing process will ensure any potential spread will be identified and minimised.
“Council’s Colac offices are closed today and the area where the employee who has tested positive worked will remain closed until the deep clean is complete and it is safe to reopen.
“Colac Otway Shire’s Rae Street Customer Service Centre has been closed to the public for two weeks, since the first positive COVID case in Colac was confirmed, and will also remain closed until it is safe to reopen.
“There will be a potential impact to non-essential Council services, and we will provide further updates on Monday, however Council’s first priority is the health and well-being of our employees and their families, and the wider community,” he said.
“Council is working with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to ensure the safety of our employees and community, and has notified WorkSafe Victoria.”