Shepparton has been hit particularly hard by the recent outbreak, with a growing cluster of cases causing a third of the city’s roughly 60,000 residents to be locked in their homes in isolation.

Families swept into 14 days of quarantine have struggled to access food and essential supplies.

Independent MP for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed appealed to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for assistance, revealing the extent of the problem.

“Due to the number of workers in isolation, many local food suppliers and the logistics they need to deliver food are unable to provide the community with its basic needs,” Sheed said in a statement.

“We need logistical support to get feet on the ground to undertake many of the basic tasks that assist to put food on the table for our Shepparton community who are currently in lockdown.”

Andrews was swift to respond, calling in the Australian Defence Force and providing additional support to Food Share and the Red Cross.

Vice-president of the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District, Attilio Borzillo, said authorities intervened immediately.

“Several schools were closed; we’re talking about 20,000 people who attended exposure sites and, therefore, all their families also found themselves in danger of being infected,” he said.

“People responded in the right way by going to get tested and vaccinated; the people of Shepparton took the situation very seriously.”

In a matter of days, the virus ripped through the regional city, affecting schools and businesses.

One of the venues struck by the virus is Little Lipari, a Sicilian restaurant opened eight years ago by Joe and Claire Di Stefano.

On August 21, the couple received a call from health authorities informing them that their restaurant had been classified as a tier one exposure site, after one of their customers, who had dined there the day before, had tested positive for the virus.

“We’re always open during the day and on Fridays we also open for dinner,” Claire said.

“But on the Friday we made the decision to close for dinner because by the time the afternoon came around the situation was getting worse and everyone was feeling a bit on edge.

“We’ve got a takeaway window that we installed in the first lockdown last year, so we ended up locking the front door and doing takeaway only.

“I think our staff were pleased with the decision, because they were starting to feel more concerned.

“That evening we received a lot of support from the community.

“Then we decided we wouldn’t continue serving takeaway coffee on Saturday because we didn’t want to encourage people to come out.

“We got the call on Saturday night and it felt surreal; every guideline was followed.”

The following day, the couple received a second call from health authorities notifying them that their son’s school had also been identified as a tier one exposure site.

Fortunately, the family is safe and all of the restaurant’s staff tested negative for the virus.

The venue has been sanitised and is ready to be reopened at the end of the quarantine period.

“We’re donating our milk and eggs to a local initiative called GV Cares, because by the time we return we’re only going to have to throw it all away,” Claire said.

“With the help of donations, they’re making up hampers and delivering them to people in need.

“It’s a difficult time because many supermarkets have been closed and cleaned after being identified as exposure sites, and a lot of the staff are quarantining so they’ve had to reduce their opening hours.

“The initiative has been an enormous help.”

Local clubs and community organisations have also been hit hard by the swell in cases.

President of the Shepparton Italian Social Club, Vince Sagoleo, said the club has struggled following its sudden closure.

“We haven’t received any help,” he added.

“It’s a difficult situation.”

Many elderly residents have also been suffering in isolation, missing face-to-face engagement and assistance.

Maria Fabbri, one of the regional coordinators of the CO.AS.IT. visitation program, said the initiative has been forced to adapt in the face of the growing outbreak.

“It’s been difficult for elderly people, because many of them spend their days in solitude and would appreciate a visit in person, but now we can’t go,” Fabbri said.

“Instead, we do what we can and help them over the phone.

“Also, it’s difficult to find volunteers during this time.”

Despite all of these challenges, the community spirit seems to be more alive than ever in Shepparton.

“Shepparton is a very united community, fortunately, so people help each other a lot,” Fabbri concluded.

“For example, sometimes I buy things for a friend who can’t leave her home and then I leave them in front of her house.

“Everyone just has to do their part and we will get out of this soon.”