One COVID19 patient is in intensive care at Ballarat Base Hospital, it has been confirmed.
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Ballarat Health Services (BHS) says it is providing care for three COVID-19 patients, with one in intensive care, following the release of new DHHS figures on Wednesday afternoon.
In a media release, BHS said:
"The increase of positive cases across our state today is a sign of how real and serious the threat to our community is.
"As the number of cases requiring care within our hospital also rises, we are enacting a range of operational measures to ensure quality of care and infection control remain at the highest level."
One of the patients in the hospital is known to have come from the Bill Crawford Lodge, which is overseen by Ballarat Aged Care - itself part of BHS.
BHS said that all close contacts of the staff and residents of the cases linked to Ballarat Aged Care had been tested.
Ballarat has recorded one new case in the past 24 hours, taking it to 10 active infections, as Victoria's numbers continue to rise sharply. It is unclear if the new case is the person in intensive care or not.
Golden Plains and Moorabool, which have both recorded new active COVID-19 cases in the past couple of weeks, remain steady with eight and five active cases, respectively.
On Saturday, a new testing clinic was announced at the Ballarat Seniors Centre on Little Bridge Street.
Administered by Ballarat Community Health with support from Ballarat Health Services, it is open for symptomatic "appointment-only" bookings.
People are encouraged to book a test by calling 1800 054 172.
Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms can also book a test at the UFS-administered testing site at Lucas from 8am to 10pm. Bookings can be made online at ufs.com.au/test or by calling 4311 1571.
Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed a record 484 cases earlier today - the highest daily tally since the pandemic started earlier this year.
The 484 cases brings the total amount to 6739 in Victoria, 3408 of which are active.
Ninety-seven of the new cases are linked to outbreaks or complex cases and 387 are under investigation.
Two new deaths have been reported since yesterday. They are both men aged in their 90s who are linked to known outbreaks. To date, 44 people have died from coronavirus in Victoria.
Seventeen people - mostly aged care residents - have died in just the past seven days alone.
Victoria in brief:
- 1116 cases may indicate community transmission
- 3408 cases are currently active in Victoria
- 205 cases of coronavirus are in hospital, including 40 in intensive care
- 3184 people have recovered from the virus
- Of the total cases, 6204 cases are from metropolitan Melbourne, while 384 are from regional Victoria
- Total cases include 3432 men and 3222 women
- More than 1,385,900 tests have been processed
- Total number of healthcare workers: 469, active cases: 187
- There are currently 383 cases in 45 aged care settings
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS
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