The following story comes from The Standard newspaper in Warrnambool, which is also owned by Australian Community Media.
It details exactly how one COVID-19 infection from Melbourne turned into a cluster in Portland, which is 350km west of the hotspot zones.
A man in his 50s died as a result of the virus.
The detailed story shows just how contagious the virus is and serves as a stark reminder that we need to remain as vigilant as possible in regional Victoria.
The transmission of coronavirus through the Portland community paints a stark picture of just how contagious COVID-19 is and how it spreads.
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The death of a Portland man in his 50s on Thursday has shocked the region.
Portland District Health chief executive officer Christine Giles confirmed that patient one came from Melbourne to care for her elderly mother, who lives in Portland.
She said the woman had a "really legitimate" reason to travel from Melbourne to Portland and provide care.
The woman from Melbourne tested positive to coronavirus on July 17.
Two days later her mother tested positive.
Patient one then came into contact with patient three in a commercial setting in Portland.
It's understood a financial institution later underwent a deep clean in the city.
Patient three works part-time as a nurse and in another job. She tested positive on July 20.
IN OTHER NEWS
Her husband became patient four and he is the man in his 50s who presented to the Portland hospital on Thursday and later died after being unable to be resuscitated.
Their children became patients five and six.
The deceased man is associated with a Heywood business and it's understood a work colleague also got COVID-19 and became patient seven.
Patient eight is an older relative of the deceased man.
Ms Giles said there were more than 10 close contacts of the Heywood worker.
"They have all been tested and are in isolation," she said.
"Some of those results have returned and those that have returned are all negative.
"We haven't got all of them back."
The CEO said that it took up to 14 days for the virus to develop in people after exposure.
"So those close contacts will be tested again, on days 11 or 12. They will not be allowed out of quarantine until those tests return negative results," Ms Giles said.
"People have to remain isolated for the minimum 14 days from exposure, and even after testing negative for a second time they then have to be cleared by a public health team within the Department of Health to resume normal activities."
Ms Giles said the death of the Portland man was very upsetting for many people involved.
"We would just ask everyone to do everything possible to remain COVID free. Follow the advice, follow all the guidelines," she said.
Ms Giles is expected to issue two videos/statements via Facebook from 2pm on Friday acknowledging the death of the Portland man and warning of the risks of the virus.
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