Childcare Centres Throughout Victoria Identify Positive Cases Of Coronavirus Amongst Educators and Children

As Victoria battles the ongoing increase of positive coronavirus cases, there has been a few childcare centres that have also been caught up and have had positive tests amongst educators and children. 

In Port Melbourne, The Ada Mary A’Beckett Children’s Centre, A baby and two staff members have tested positive for coronavirus. The centre has been shut down after confirmation of the 3 cases.

Management is taking direction from the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure all response protocols and procedures are correctly implemented and followed,” it said.

“This includes a professional deep clean of the facility (which has taken place) and full co-operation with the contact-trace process which is now underway.

Childcare Provider Nino Early Learning Adventures, shut its Bundoora site on Tuesday after two educators became infected including a member of the company’s administration team.

“The educators have worked in the following rooms – achievers, investigators, researchers and inventors,” company manager Melinda Ackerman said.

“As a result of further cases, we have made the decision that the service will be closed to all children and staff from tomorrow Tuesday 21st July 2020 whilst we await further advice from the Department of Health and Human Services and we will undertake another deep clean and sanitise.

Franklin Road Early Education Centre, at Woolaware, a childcare worker tested positive, however, was not present at the centre during the period they were contagious.

A worker who last attended the centre on Monday, July 13, has tested positive to COVID-19, however, NSW Health has advised that this member of staff was not present at the centre during the period in which they were contagious.

"All council-operated early education centres are subject to an extensive daily cleaning regime, including a three-hour nightly clean and routine cleaning throughout the day, which NSW Health has advised are appropriate measures to combat the spread of the virus and ensure each centre can remain open.

Victoria is currently battling a flare-up of positive COVID cases as the government has enforced a six-week partial lockdown in Melbourne city and mandatory facemasks for residents while outside, to reduce the spread of infection.

References:

• Victorian COVID cases identified at Ada Mary A’Beckett child care centre in Port Melbourne, 7 News Australia, 21 July 2020
• Nino Early Learning Adventures childcare provider shuts Bundoora site, News Australia, 21 July 2020
• Sutherland Shire Council says no risk to children at Franklin Road Early Education Centre after staffer tests positive to COVID-19, 20 July 2020