PROXIMITY away from metropolitan sprawl and the state's capital looks to be working in the favour of Ballarat and western Victoria in preventing coronavirus' spread.
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Ballarat has tallied 36 days without any new COVID-19 cases and cases in both surrounding shires and fellow regional cities Bendigo, Warrnambool, Geelong and Horsham have remained steady in this period.
New health department data released on Thursday showed there was one active COVID-19 case linked to Ballarat but Ballarat Health Services has made clear it was not actively treating anyone affected by the virus this week. There is also one person still infected in the Moorabool Shire.
Victoria's Health Department made clear the cases were recorded by the address at the time of testing and did not show where the person was residing now, nor where they were being treated.
The health department made clear the importance of testing people without symptoms, for a better gauge of potential community transmission.
BHS tested almost 800 people in the first three days of the community aymptomatic pop-up clinic at the Morshead Park soccer stadium, including more than 375 on Thursday. About 900 people, with and without symptoms, were tested on Tuesday alone with no new cases confirmed.
While there is no clear research for why the regions might be so steady the past month of the pandemic, Ballarat Health Services acute operations director Ben Kelly said based on the figures, living in regional Victoria probably has not hurt.
Mr Kelly said Ballarat's community response had been a significant contributing factor, from social distancing and isolating at home to turning out in force for testing by those without symptoms but unable to work from home.
Such a response is one Ripon Mp Louise Staley has been particularly proud about by regional centres in her electorate, including Maryborough and Ararat (each centre had one confirmed case, no active cases).
Ms Staley said while it might be easy to become complacent in towns without a seemingly present threat, particularly amid lockdowns, she was proud in how communities had rallied.
"Ararat has certainly kept to the rules in general and I think people have risen to the occasion, Maryborough too," Ms Staley said. "I think in country communities where they had only one case, or none, they have kept to the rules because they want to see the best for their community and the broader community."
Ms Staley said testing, along with downloading the COVID Safe app, were the next big calls for regional people to answer.
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.
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