ALBURY Wodonga Health (AWH) has been closely working with Beechworth Health (BHS) with contact tracing after a worker recently tested COVID positive bringing the total number of cases to four throughout Indigo Shire.

Chief executive Mark Ashcroft said access to the health facility at 52 Sydney Road had been restricted with a focus on the health and wellbeing of residents, patients and staff.

"We thank families of our residents and patients, carers and our staff for their understanding, support and patience during this time," he said.

Mr Ashcroft said Primary Close Contacts (PCCs) of the COVID–19 positive case continue to isolate and welfare checking is in place.

Day six testing for PCCs took place yesterday with results today that will determine ongoing management of the current response.

"All people connected with the exposure remain well," Mr Ashcroft said.

In a press conference updating the COVID situation across North East in local government areas (LGAs) of Towong, Indigo, Wangaratta, Wodonga and Alpine on Wednesday, AWH Local Public Health Unit Executive Director Lucie Shanahan said there had been fantastic and rapid response from Beechworth Health to the situation.

"They were able to identify staff and residents who may have been at risk really quickly" she said.

With a concern in the rising number of COVID cases in the North East with most in Wodonga and Wangaratta, Ms Shanahan said AWH is asking people to undertake simple steps – get vaccinated, wear masks, practice hand hygiene and social distancing.

"This is going to be part of normal life as we open up," she said.

Ms Shanahan said a high double dose vaccination rate against COVID–19 is one of the best protection factors that communities can have against the infectious disease but people minimise numbers at social gatherings too.

Indigo Shire remains one of the top LGAs in the state as published in Australian Government Health Department figures on Monday with 84.4 per cent of residents aged 15 years and over being fully vaccinated.

Mr Ashcroft asked the community to continue to work with the Health Service as the response and COVID–19 challenges can be managed together.

He advised people to monitor for COVID–19 exposure sites in the region and continue to practice COVID–19 safety.

"Please get a COVID–19 test at the onset of any COVID–19 related symptoms," he said.

BHS will continue to provide regular updates to families, carers, staff and the community.

On Wednesday the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) approved a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID–19 vaccine for people aged 18 and over.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners awaits the final advice on the rollout which will be provided to the Federal Government by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

Bookings for COVID–19 vaccinations at the BHS vaccination hub at 58 Sydney Road, which cannot take direct calls, can be made by calling 1800 675 398.

Vaccination appointments can also be made at Beechworth Pharmacy on (03) 5728 1094, and the Yackandandah Pharmacy on (02) 6027 1211.

For information on vaccine eligibility, visit https:// covid–vaccine.healthdirect. gov.au/eligibility.