CORONAVIRUS testing across the city has almost doubled in the past two days as Ballarat Health Services responds to the premier's screening blitz.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
About 920 presented for the swab test on Wednesday, including 250 people without symptoms at the Morshead Park soccer stadium amid a push to better gauge the virus' grip on the city. The asymptomatic test site at Morshead Park opened on Tuesday morning.
BHS, in partnership with City of Ballarat and UFS, has quickly adapted to expand testing to people without symptoms, particularly those working on the community frontlines, in what will be a decisive factor for Premier Daniel Andrews and state health advisers on easing restrictions.
Victoria's State of Emergency will be reviewed on Monday and the premier has remained on no changing lockdowns until this point, regardless of moves to ease in other states.
BHS testing on Wednesday included 248 people with COVID-19 symptoms - including, coughs and sniffles - via booked appointments at the BHS Sebastopol public dental and UFS Lucas Community Centre sites.
A further 42 workers were tested at Mars in the first mobile screening for the city's major employers.
Almost 300 more healthcare workers without symptoms were also tested on Tuesday.
Anyone who has been unable to work from home - including but not limited to baristas, construction workers, supermarket staff, healthcare teams - and who show no symptoms is urged to get tested at the walk-up clinic at Morshead Park. This is open 9am to 5pm until and including Saturday.
BHS has made a particular call-out to twenty-somethings to help create a broader community picture.
Anyone with even the mildest cold or flu-like symptoms should book an appointment to be tested at either the Lucas (4311 1571) of Sebastopol (5320 8889) clinics. If you do not have an appointment, you will not be tested. You will be escorted to and from your car for the appointment to limit contact.
All tests are free.
Ballarat has had no new COVID-19 cases in the past 35 days to Wednesday.
BHS experts say the concern is not knowing how many infected people without symptoms could potentially be in the community. Read more about that here.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thankyou very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.
