Barwon South West Public Health Unit Director Eugene Athan said at 9 a.m. on Monday that there were 44 patients at Geelong University Hospital with COVID-19, including 15 in care. intensive.

“Of the 44 patients, five are no longer contagious but remain sick in the hospital, with two beds in the ward and three in intensive care,” said Professor Athan.

“In keeping with our role as a Covid streaming hospital, inpatients come from Geelong and across the state.

“We work closely with private hospitals in Geelong which provide care for a limited number of public emergency patients and high priority elective patients in the inpatient and intensive care unit.”

It comes as nine new cases were reported for Greater Geelong on Monday and two for the Surf Coast.

Figures from the Ministry of Health showed Greater Geelong to have 119 active cases and the Surf Coast 11.

Professor Athan said the Golden Farms chicken processing plant in Breakwater had nine cases of Covid, up from three first identified last week.

Victoria reported 1,612 new locally acquired cases on Monday.

It comes as new data released on Monday revealed that the Geelong region is progressing towards a vaccination rate above 95%.

Newtown Elementary School was listed as an exhibition site last week after two children tested positive.

Professor Athan said the students have now returned, except for the affected class and two children who still had to self-isolate.

“We are asking the community to remain vigilant and get tested at the first sign of symptoms of COVID-19 or after visiting an exhibition site,” said Professor Athan.

For a list of testing sites and times, go to https://www.barwonhealth.org.au/coronavirus/where-to-get-tested.