A WODONGA truck driver testing positive to COVID-19 has led to 45 staff at a Howlong pet food factory self-isolating and undergoing coronavirus testing.
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Staughton Group revealed on Monday the driver stopped at the company's plant last Tuesday and then travelled to South Australia where he tested positive to COVID.
The firm identified four workers who had direct contact with the driver.
"They have now undergone testing for COVID-19 and will quarantine for 14 days," a Staughton spokesperson said.
"As a further precautionary measure, we have also taken the decision to temporarily close the plant zone where the four staff members are based at our Howlong site.
"We have asked all staff who work in that plant zone to get tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate until they receive a negative result."
That involves 41 staff, though because Staughton split the factory into four zones under its COVID plan, work can continue in the remaining areas with 355 staff.
Affected employees were notified before they were due at work on Monday and first results are expected back on Tuesday, however the close contacts will need to undergo further swabs and remain in isolation for 14 days.
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Staughton, which was notified of the truck driver's diagnosis at the weekend, has contacted the NSW health department.
"Our thoughts and well wishes are with the affected driver, and we are ensuring he is receiving the appropriate care while in quarantine," the spokesperson said.
Albury Wodonga Health public health chief Lucie Shanahan, whose unit is monitoring the driver's quarantine and health, praised the man's actions.
"The way this fellow has managed himself and managed his response to finding out that he's COVID positive is absolutely textbook, we couldn't ask for a better response from this individual," Dr Shanahan said on Monday.
"He has done all the right things by heading straight home, moving into isolation where he is in a home by himself and also he's been working with our public health team over the weekend to make sure we have all the information we need, so we can assess any potential risks to the community.
"He's done a spectacular job."
Dr Shanahan said the driver was displaying "really mild symptoms" of COVID-19.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the positive case in Wodonga did not automatically mean Albury would remain in lockdown beyond this week.
"Each case you take it on its merits, you've got to take it in relation to exposure, isolation, all those issues," Mr Barilaro said.
He said data from across regional areas would be collated on Wednesday for assessment, with an announcement on Thursday about the fate of lockdowns in various parts of NSW.
No day was nominated for a decision unveiling.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said on Monday he had been speaking to Liberal Party colleague and Albury MP Justin Clancy about further assistance to help Murray region businesses hit by the pandemic.
He declined to say if a specific approach would be taken, but he acknowledged there were "particular challenges" in border areas and that was factored into modelling.
"It's not a one-size-fits-all situation," Mr Perrottet said.
