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www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
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Phone (03) 5723 0100
LEGO MASTERS AT THE LIBRARY IT may not be as big as Lego Masters, but children are certain to have fun at the Lego challenges as part of the Wangaratta Library’s school holiday program on Friday. The library’s children’s and youth services officer Tanya Hopper was getting in some early practice yesterday. Story page 7. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
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200th game joy for Dean Sport
COVID cases up A RISING number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria is being reflected within the Wangaratta community. The Victorian Health Department said more than 5800 cases were reported statewide last week, with COVID patients in Victorian hospitals climbing to 297, up 46 per cent on the previous week, with a seven-day rolling average of patients in intensive care reaching 11. A total of 30 COVIDrelated deaths were
Rates mayy still be low,, but timelyy reminder to maintain vaccinations BY ANITA McPHERSON amcpherson@ nemedia.com.au
reported to the department in the past week, which is up 108 per cent when compared to the same period last month. The increase in transmission is believed to be being driven by the combination of waning
immunity and the growth in recent weeks of multiple strains of Omicron. Last Thursday there were 30 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Wangaratta over the seven days prior - the highest weekly increase since the first week of January. Northeast Health Wangaratta executive director clinical operations, Bernadette Hammond, said COVID continues to circulate in the community
but numbers in the rural city at the moment are very low. She said the facility is well prepared to deal with the widespread impacts of the virus. “At the moment there tend to be three to four people with COVID, or COVID-like symptoms, in our hospital at any one time,” she said. “We have ongoing plans in place for staff illness from
COVID, or other infectious diseases, to manage any potential impact on service provision.” Eligible Victorians who have not had a COVID vaccination or confirmed infection in the past six months can now receive their 2023 booster, with 4.4 million Victorians currently eligible. The Department of Health says vaccination continues to provide the best protection
against becoming severely unwell or dying from COVID-19, irrespective of how many prior doses a person has received. A free booster appointment can be booked through a local GP or pharmacy including South Wangaratta Medical Centre and Ramsay Pharmacy in Ovens Street or visit www. healthdirect.gov.au to search for a provider. ■ Further story page 2
The Old Town 'n' Country Tavern
KITCHEN OPEN 7 DAYS 12pm - 9pm cooking all day OPEN ALL WEEKEND INCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Bookings 03 5722 1788
174 Greta Rd, Wangaratta VIC 3677
BOOK A TABLE: townandcountrytavern.com