Esther Lauaki
Wyndham has reached a grim new milestone with 942 active coronavirus cases recorded this week – a jump of nearly 300 in under two weeks.
The new health figures mean Wyndham remains the most infected area in Victoria, according to the state’s active COVID-19 case data.
Of the active cases recorded on Monday, 459 were from Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Truganina while 327 were from Cocoroc, Point Cook, Quandong, Werribee and Werribee South.
The 3024 postcode, which takes in Mambourin, Manor Lakes, Mount Cottrell and Wyndham Vale, had 110 active cases.
Victorian chief health officer, Brett Sutton said on Friday that the postcodes with the most significant transmission and highest case numbers would be the government’s biggest challenge.
“We’ll have to work especially hard in those areas,” he said.
“We know where they are and we know that we need to engage very closely with the communities to make sure that they can turn it around.”
Wyndham’s largest daily increase in infections was on August 6, when the number of cases rose by 94.
A member of the Wyndham Our Community Facebook group called for greater enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions across the municipality.
“It’s so high in these areas and in Point Cook, it seems to me no one cares,” he posted.
“I just went to Point Cook Town Centre after working all day, thinking it wouldn’t be busy… I was wrong.
“People just walking around, buying coffees, not wearing a mask and just too relaxed.
“These areas are going to continue to have high numbers until they put more police patrols in the area.”
As of Sunday, 1600 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been linked to Wyndham in total.
Active aged care outbreaks include 105 cases linked to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge Community in Werribee and 78 cases linked to Glendale Aged Care Facility in Werribee.
Another 48 cases have been linked to the Linfox warehouse in Truganina and the health department is also investigating four cases linked to PGG Wrightson Seeds in Truganina.
Aimee Helu and husband Eden, who work six days a week to keep their Hoppers Junction cafe, Jock and Mack, running, said the past few months had been “really difficult”.
“We’re fighters and we pivot and we change our business, but this is … our family’s lifeline,” Ms Helu said.
She said she was trying to remain positive and maintain community connection among locals at the cafe.
“We’re just trying to be that friendly face, and it makes a difference,” Ms Helu said
