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Army deployed to Colac as coronavirus continues its spread through Victoria

Cases of coronavirus in Colac grew to 43 in late July.

Cases of coronavirus in Colac grew to 43 in late July. Photo: ABC News/Peter Drought

The Army has moved in to help control a coronavirus outbreak linked to an abattoir in Victoria’s south-east, as COVID-19 continues its spread throughout the state.

An incident control centre has been set up in Colac after the number of cases linked to the Australian Lamb Company abattoir hit 43 on Friday.

Australian Defence Force troops have been deployed to the town to help with contact tracing efforts.

It comes amid the virus continuing to spread in aged care homes around Victoria, mainly in Melbourne’s north and north-west.

The state government reported seven more deaths from the virus on Friday, with five of them linked to aged care facilities.

A spokesperson from Arcare Aged Care confirmed on Friday night a second resident from its Craigieburn residence had died from coronavirus.

The first resident passed away earlier last week and two other residents remained in hospital.

The spokesperson said both residents had “serious underlying health issues”.

“Our team is nonetheless deeply upset. Our thoughts are with the residents’ families and friends at this time and the Arcare team who cared for them,” the spokesperson said.

Arcare Craigieburn has recorded 44 cases of COVID-19, including 23 residents, 19 staff and two allied health professionals.

Another round of testing will begin at the home today.

A staff member from Arcare Burnside, which has been in lockdown since July 12, has also tested positive to coronavirus.

The spokesperson said it was believed the person caught the virus in the community, rather than internally.

“We have immediately commenced contact tracing,” they said.

“Results of testing at the [Burnside] residence until this point, have all been negative.”

The government is expected to give an update on coronavirus cases later today.

-ABC

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