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The Victorian Health Department failed to adequately support testing and enforce self-isolation rules during two regional COVID-19 outbreaks that were suppressed largely through the strong actions of locals.
A leaked state government review found clear lines of communication did not exist in the management of outbreaks in Colac, west of Geelong, where about 145 people become infected in two clusters between July and September.
The Australian Lamb Company in Colac became the nexus of regional Victoria s biggest coronavirus cluster.
Credit:Jason South
Abattoir workers received health directions in a language they could not understand and were leaving home during their quarantine period. Some workers, who lived in houses with up to 11 co-workers, were short on food and other essentials because emergency relief was not delivered quickly.