News blog, January 17: Police are looking for Kristopher Andree-Jansz;1588 active COVID-19 cases in Shepparton

A top of 29° is expected, with the chance of a shower or two as the day rolls on.

UPDATE 5 pm: Signing off

With that, I’m going to sign off for the day.

We’ll see you tomorrow for another big day in the Goulburn Valley.

UPDATE 4.45 pm: Have you seen Kristopher Andree-Jansz?

Police are asking for public assistance to help locate Kristopher Andree-Jansz.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the 40-year-old man is wanted on warrant in relation to serious threat and traffic-related offences.

The spokesperson said Mr Andree-Jansz is believed to be in the Echuca area.

He is also known to frequent the Cobram, Melbourne CBD and Malvern areas, the spokesperson said.

Mr Andree-Jansz is believed to be 180cm tall with a medium build, hazel eyes and brown hair.

Anyone who has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

UPDATE 2.15 pm: RAT prices 'beyond outrageous' says ACCC chair

Speaking of RATs (as we were earlier in the day), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chair Rod Sims said the retail price-gouging on COVID-19 rapid antigen tests is “beyond outrageous”, as demand for the kids continues to surge across the country.

The consumer watchdog said at the "extreme end" it had received reports of RATs costing up to $500 for two tests through online marketplaces, and more than $70 per test through convenience stores, service stations and independent supermarkets.

Despite wholesale RAT costs being up to $11.45 a test, the agency said prices for the kits are often retailing between $20-$30 and are priced much higher through smaller outlets.

"It's just beyond outrageous ... it's extremely concerning," Mr Sims told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

Find further details about this story here.

UPDATE 12.35 pm: Some more coronavirus talk

Greater Shepparton recorded 153 new cases of COVID-19 in the latest reporting period, and the total number of active cases after the weekend is now at 1588.

Campaspe’s now has 634 active cases, after reporting another 35 today and Moira has 40 new cases, bringing the total active cases number to 566.

In Strathbogie, there are 17 new cases and 140 people currently infected with the virus.

One third of Victoria’s PCR are positive for COVID-19 and Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the case number may not have peaked just yet.

“"There's a lot of uncertainty, but I do think we're reasonably close to a peak," he told reporters on Monday.

"We've got a high proportion of PCR tests coming back positive, so that does mean there are a lot of people out there who don't know their status."

UPDATE 10.55 am: 10 suspicious fires in Shepparton and Mooroopna area in six weeks

Monique Preston reports about 10 fires in the bushland in the Shepparton and Mooroopna area in the last six weeks are believed to have been deliberately lit.

In that same time, another bushfire is believed to have been deliberately lit in bushland along the Goulburn River at Yambuna.

Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jason Williams said police were investigating 10 fires in the bushland along the Shepparton-Mooroopna causeway and in the Gemmill Swamp Wildlife Reserve areas.

Investigations into the fires are continuing, including whether one or more firebugs were involved.

“We’re open to it being the possibility of the same person lighting all these fires,” Det Sen Sgt Williams said.

Read the full story here.

UPDATE 9.40 am: Weekend headlines

Now some of the COVID-19 news is out of the way, here’s what’s been happening around Shepparton at the weekend.

Shepparton’s Victoria Park Lake sees COVID-19 vaccine protest: About 100 people waving banners and signs protesting mandated COVID-19 vaccinations demonstrated at Shepparton’s Victoria Park Lake on Sunday.

Man charged in relation to alleged Mooroopna armed robbery: A man has been charged in relation to an alleged armed robbery at Mooroopna Golf Club last week.

Visitor information centre lookign for volunteers after tourism boom: The Christmas and new year period saw a boom in tourism for City of Greater Shepparton, with the visitor centre recording a 275 per cent increase in visitors compared to the last festive season.

And reporter Zac Standish has the wraps for Cricket Shepparton and the Allan Matheson Shield.

You can also find the extensive Haisman Shield coverage over in the Sport section of our website.

UPDATE 9.15 am: Daily case numbers

In Victoria, there are 22,429 new cases of coronavirus. Just under half of those were recorded by rapid tests.

Tragically, six people have died with the virus in this reporting period.

There are currently 1229 people in hospital, 129 of those are in ICU and 38 are ventilated.

Over in New South Wales, 29,504 positive tests and 17 deaths were reoprted in the past 24 hours.

The state now has 2776 people in hospital, with 203 people in ICU with the virus.

I’ll let you know the local data when it comes to hand (usually around midday).

UPDATE 9 am: RATs infest GV Health’s testing sites

I’ve got some good news to start the day - rapid antigen tests are now available from Shepparton’s COVID-19 PCR testing sites.

In a Facebook post yesterday, GV Health said they will provide two tests per person.

They will only be given to those who have COVID-19 symptoms and haven’t yet completed a RAT, or those who are a confirmed close contact of a COVID-19 case, and also have not completed a RAT.

Before you head down there, you need to fill out the COVID-19 Testing Registration form and remember to bring your Medicare card with you.

Once you pick up your RATs from either the Shepparton Showgrounds or the GV Health Acute Respiratory Clinic, you can conduct the test at home.

If the result is positive (fingers crossed it isn’t), you can record it at coronavirus.vic.gov.au