Colac meat worker returns positive coronavirus test

The Colac resident received the positive test this morning and has been confirmed as a meat inspecting contractor at Australian Lamb Colac.

They attended work Thursday last week and self-isolated since undergoing the coronavirus test on Monday.

It marks the second positive test recorded in Colac since the start of the pandemic.

Australian Lamb confirmed the contractor was currently in self-isolation.

"We can confirm that an ALC contractor is currently in self-isolation following a positive test for COVID-19," a spokesman said.

"We were advised that this contractor had recorded a positive result from a test carried out last Friday July 10. They have not attended work since being tested.

"The company has been in touch with his employer to offer him support through his recovery period.

"We can advise that under the protocols of the Victorian Department of Health the close contacts of this contractor have also been sent for testing with additional testing to be provided to other employees as required.

"There is no additional risk to ALC staff, our operations or the safety of our products as a result of the virus detection.

"The company continues to operate under strict workplace policy and government guidelines for dealing with the virus.

"Earlier this year, we took extra measures to minimise the risk of infection in our workplace. All ALC employees and contractors are required to notify the company if they are feeling unwell or exhibiting any flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath."

"ALC will continue to take the necessary steps to protect the safety and health of our employees, contractors and broader community."

Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan said the facility, which employs up to 700 people, was a 'ticking time bomb'.

"This just looks like Cedar Meats all over again, has the government learnt nothing on how to deal with a large workplace situation?" he said.

"The workplace, employee and workers throughout Colac, potentially many workplaces, have been affected.

"When I interviewed the Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton back in May they said they were going to do this type of contract tracing of large workplaces better.

"Here we are, months later, and the government still is not working quick enough."

He said it 'wasn't good enough' that the patient waited a week to get results back and that he wants to see swift testing of the hundreds of workers at Australian Lamb.

"A week waiting is a week too long, these are essential services and industries, we need to know that the local health authorities will be getting all the support they need to get on top of this.

"All sorts of people move in and out of this facility, we don't know how this person contracted the virus."

There are currently 42 active coronavirus cases in regional Victoria outside the stage three restricted areas.

Five additional regional cases were recorded on Friday.

READ MORE: Record spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria once again

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