Ballarat has had the highest growth rate of COVID-19 cases across regional Victoria over the past week with at least one case of community transmission that cannot be linked back to a source.
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Department of Health and Human Services confirmed one new case for Ballarat on Monday with 59 cases in total and 28 active.
Speaking as part of the regional testing blitz, member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said since January 17, 29,787 people had undergone COVID-19 tests in Ballarat.
Ballarat's testing rate per 100,000 people is similar to Bendigo where the number of active COVID-19 cases has been described as concerning, and higher than Greater Geelong which accounts for around a third of all regional cases.
Regional Victorians have been urged to have a coronavirus test if they have even the slightest symptoms.
"If you are wondering whether you should get a test or not, you should get a test," Ms Pulford said. "If you have got a little sniffle or a scratchy throat and it occurs to you to get a test, you should get a test."
More than 360,000 regional Victorians have had a COVID-19 test since January this year.
"We know that we have community transmission in Ballarat and that's really concerning," Ms Pulford said. "We know there are cases that can't be traced back to a source and we also know one case can become 2, 4, or more.
"This regional testing blitz is about making sure it's quick, easy and accessible for people to have the test."
Ballarat's active cases have grown by one case per day over the last four days.
Ms Pulford praised Ballarat residents for sticking to the stage three restrictions despite the challenges they present.
"It's great to see the wonderful support across the community for these restrictions. We know they are hard and nobody likes them but they are the right thing, the only tool we have to break that chain of transmission," she said.
IN OTHER NEWS
Ballarat is also home to a dedicated Incident Management Teams (IMT) to coordinate the emergency response in the city to offer more testing, share local information and provide welfare support to those impacted by the virus, and a Covid Regional Response Unit.
"This is a highly infectious virus and regional Victoria is not immune. We need to do everything we can to catch and contain every case. By getting tested you're doing your bit to protect your entire community," said health minister Jenny Mikakos.
"We want to make sure there's no barrier getting tested and that's why we're expanding current testing sites and opening new sites to make it easier for regional Victorians to get tested."
WHERE TO TAKE A COVID-19 TEST IN BALLARAT
Everyone who feels even the slightest cold or flu-like symptom must assume they have the virus until a test result proves otherwise. Anybody with symptoms or awaiting a result should self-isolate at home.
- If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, make an appointment either online or by phone (4311 1571) to take a test at Lucas Community Hub. Tests are by appointment only.
- There is now a testing site at the Ballarat Senior Citizens Centre in the CBD. People are encouraged to book a test by calling 1800 054 172.
- A testing site has also opened at the BHS public dental site in Sebastopol, phone 5320 8889
- A drive-through swabbing clinic, for symptomatic and asymptomatic people, has opened at the old Atlantic Hotel on Skipton Street in Redan - people will require a referral from their GP or specialist, but will not require an appointment.
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