Positive case had minimal contact with co-workers

Limited numbers of staff at a Colac workplace are in isolation after a co-worker tested positive to COVID-19 this morning.

But the positive worker had no contact with the public and only brief, limited contact with co-workers, with management saying the company’s overly cautious response is a measure to protect clients and staff.

Skills Connection chief executive Marita Brady confirmed that a staff member had tested positive to COVID-19 this morning.

The employee, a non-direct support worker, learnt they were a close contact of another case on Friday, had sought a COVID test, and had been in isolation since then.

A small number of staff who had limited contact with the man are now in isolation awaiting test results.

The employee had no contact with Skills Connection clients, and the Colac Herald understands the nature of his work means he mostly works on his own.

No Skills Connection sites have had to close. Some programs have had reduced attendance after participants elected not to attend.

Other Skills Connection staff have also had to isolate in recent days after learning they had contact away from work with people who were seeking tests as contacts of positive cases.

Ms Brady said Skills Connection had taken an overly cautious approach to the situation to protect its vulnerable clients.