The amount of active COVID-19 cases in Ballarat has fallen by four in the last 24 hours, according to Premier Daniel Andrews.
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Speaking in his daily press conference, Mr Andrews gave a brief update as to regional numbers, hours before the usual Department of Health and Human Services data is released.
He said active Ballarat case numbers were now at 24, a relatively significant decrease from yesterday's tally of 28.
OTHER BALLARAT CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Ballarat's active cases were at 24 on Thursday last week, but had grown steadily since.
It is not known if there were any new coronavirus cases found in the last 24 hours. This figure will be released later today.
In Bendigo there are now 44 active cases (down from 47) and in Geelong there are 159 (up from 155).
Mr Andrews has been specifically mentioning Ballarat, as well as Geelong and Bendigo, as areas of concern for the last week.
He said although numbers remained relatively stable in regional Victoria, there still needed to be more tests undertaken.
He had previously warned regional Victorians to brace themselves for an endurance test.
"They're relatively stable but aggregate cases in regional Victoria are down the best part of 90 cases in the last four or five days," Premier Daniel Andrews said.
He said in the last seven days there were around 155,000 tests processed, 30,000 less than the week before.
"Looking at test results and the amount of movement curtailed it's not surprising that total test numbers are down," he said.
"We don't want to see tests going down because we won't have a complete picture of what's going on.
"My principal ask of Victorians today is if you've got any symptoms, please come forward get tested. Don't wait to get worse, that can be the time you're very infectious.
"More results are much better than less."
Stage four restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne, including an 8pm-5am curfew, and stage three protocols for regional Victoria remain in place until September 13.
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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