UPDATED:
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The Department of Health and Human Services have confirmed the Wodonga resident positive for COVID-19 did not acquire the infection in Wodonga.
In response to a list of questions sent by The Border Mail queries why the department routinely refused to clarify if a COVID case listed in the North East tally was actually present in the region, the department issued a single comment.
"Victorians can be assured that as part of our contact tracing, any public exposure sites are contacted and provided with advice about the transmission risks and any cleaning that may be required," it said.
The department cited patient privacy as the reason for not revealing whether infected residents were quarantining in cities or in the region.
PREVIOUSLY:
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has broken ranks and reassured Wodonga residents the Wodonga COVID-19 case was not acquired in the city, despite the departments refusal to comment on the matter.
The Department of Health and Human Services failed to answer questions about the case or why they refused to say where the person currently was.
Previously when asked by The Border Mail the department cited patient privacy for their refusal to clarify where cases were located.
Yesterday, the department would not comment on what they were doing to prevent the panic caused by the lack of details provided.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Repeatedly the department have announced a North East resident has tested positive for COVID-19 in their daily statistics but refused to say whether the person was a returned traveller isolating in Sydney or located in the community.
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley accused the department of being "secretive and sneaky", saying NSW Health was able to provide basic information to the community.
"It damages their own credibility and the public's faith in the system," he said.
The department has been contacted for comment on why they cannot provide the information due to privacy concerns but the CHO is able to tweet it.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
