Ballarat residents have been praised for being "proactive and responsible" in getting tested for coronavirus if they have symptoms despite facing waits of two to four days for a testing appointment at the Lucas COVID-19 testing clinic.
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Several people contacted The Courier expressing concern that they wanted to be tested but there were no available appointments for up to four days.
However a UFS spokesperson said the delay was only two days and there were appointments set aside each day for urgent cases requiring testing but they were only available by phoning the clinic, not online.
Online bookings late Thursday showed testing appointments available from Sunday afternoon.
"There has been a significant increase in the past two weeks for testing across the state and we congratulate Ballarat people for being proactive and responsible in getting tested," a spokesperson said.
Results from the Lucas testing site are being received within two to three days.
Victoria recorded another 77 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday but Ballarat has not had a case since May 17.
It is the 16th consecutive day of double digit case growth in Victoria with health authorities concerned at the number of new cases associated with transmission in households and families. Of the new cases, 13 were linked to outbreaks, 37 were identified through routine testing and 27 cases are under investigation.
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Of great concern to health authorities are the 332 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria that have been acquired through unknown transmission.
The announcement of the latest spike in cases came just hours after more than 300,000 Melbournians living in 10 northern and western postcodes became subject to another four weeks of Stay at Home restrictions, only allowing them to go out for shopping for food and supplies, medical care and caregiving, exercise and study or work until July 29.
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