When Daniel Beattie travelled to Shepparton with his partner and one of their sons for routine haircuts, he had no idea what was coming next.
It was Tuesday, August 17, and the Goulburn Valley had been COVID-free for almost a year.
However, just three days later, the region recorded a new COVID-19 case and, by Sunday, case numbers had exploded.
Mr Beattie's partner, Rachael Rowe, started to feel unwell, and decided to get tested.
Then she messaged Mr Beattie the shocking news: she had tested positive.
They later discovered their hairdresser was unknowingly COVID-positive while cutting their hair.
Mr Beattie, Ms Rowe and their youngest three children — Ava, 5, Blake, 3, and Max, seven months – plus Mr Beattie's parents, have all since tested positive.
Thankfully, their two older sons are currently testing negative but that's a total of seven cases, all following innocent haircuts.
"It's crazy to think how quickly it can spread," Mr Beattie said.
Concern for parents
The Beattie family is isolating on their dairy farm in Merrigum, a tiny town 30 minutes west of Shepparton.
While Ms Rowe and baby Max are experiencing symptoms, Mr Beattie, Blake and Ava are currently symptom-free.
The federal Department of Health said it was seeing more COVID-19 cases among children and young people than ever before.
This is because the Delta variant is far more transmissible.
However, health authorities said, severe complications were still uncommon for young people.
The couple's main concern is for Mr Beattie's parents.
After talks with the health department, Mr Beattie has been given the go-ahead to work in a smaller capacity on their dairy farm, as long as he follows strict restrictions to keep completely separate from his workers.
Vaccination importance underscored
Mr Beattie said his family had been blown away by the support of the community during their isolation, with food deliveries and messages pouring in.
Now, they’re preparing for health workers to visit on Sunday for Day 13 testing.
"Then the health department has got to actually give you clearance,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said his family's experience highlighted the importance of vaccination.
While his mum had her first dose of AstraZeneca prior to the outbreak, Mr Beattie’s dad was booked in for the day Ms Rowe tested positive.
Meanwhile, both Mr Beattie and Ms Rowe had originally been scheduled for their first vaccinations last Thursday.
"Once we tested positive, that put all vaccination plans to a halt," Mr Beattie said.
"But we all want to get that vaccination [once we're COVID-free].
