Victoria’s covid case numbers have dropped below 900 today with 860 cases recorded as the state fast approaches the 90 per cent double vaccination target. Double vaccinations are now at 87.2 per cent for Victorians aged 12 and above. The Mount Alexander Shire already passed the target on November 8 with 90.3 percent of the shire now double vaccinated and 95 per cent having had their first dose. When Victoria hits the next milestone in the Roadmap sometime over the next week the caps or density quotients will be removed for all settings, and masks will only be mandatory indoors in some high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care, public transport and justice and correctional facilities.

As state numbers track downwards, local covid cases have quietly crept up in Mount Alexander Shire with two new cases bringing the total number of current local active cases to 24. Macedon Ranges recorded another five bringing their active cases to 108. Greater Bendigo recorded another 10 bringing their total to 233 active cases. Hepburn Shire recorded no new cases with their active cases sitting at 7. CHIRP Community Health continues to conduct covid testing clinics during November. If you have been to a covid exposure site or have symptoms you can book an appointment by registering through the CHIRP website at https://chirp.org.au/covid-19-screening-clinic-registration-form/ or on 5479 1005. If you’re yet to be vaccinated you can organise your jab through the Castlemaine Health website, your GP or local pharmacy.

The Castlemaine Branch of Rural Australians for Refugees is holding its Annual General Meeting tonight, Monday November 15, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, at the Castlemaine Town Hall. The guest speaker will be Michael Annear who has recently been appointed to a senior position at the Mount Alexander Shire Council after many years working with the International Red Cross. He led the delivery of programs across the Asia-Pacific region to improve public health, shelter, water and sanitation and provided rapid responses in countries experiencing major natural and human caused emergencies. Mr Annear will speak about the flow of economic migrants and refugees across the globe and the role Australia could play in both reducing that flow and the suffering that accompanies it.

Castlemaine RSR chair Bronwen Machin said they welcome all to come to their AGM. “Even during the COVID times our group has raised money for refugees, both locally and in Victoria. We raised enough for two detainees to be moved to Canada and we have advocated to members of Parliament. Now we want new people and energy onto the Committee of Management and to the organisation so we can do more and advocate better on behalf of those our government treats appallingly,” she said.