MAJOR coronavirus screening services in Ballarat are maintaining consistent patient numbers despite a 17 per cent decline statewide in Victoria's ongoing grapple with COVID-19.
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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has warned lower testing rates could prove a barrier to easing restrictions when the government needed "a complete or as close to a complete picture" as possible on the virus' spread.
Ballarat's UFS-led fever clinic remains averaging 250 to 300 people per day with symptoms, while the Ballarat Community Health-led clinic in Little Bridge Street is screening between 80 to 90 people daily after opening last month.
A new free government-run clinic at Ballarat Health Services' public dental site in Sebastopol opened this week in a bid to increase testing capacity amid a rise in active regional infections.
UFS chief Lynne McLennan said there had been a marginal drop-off in patients between providers the past week, but it was important to note same-day appointments were still available.
"There might be a slight reduction in positive cases across Ballarat but it's too early to say we have control of these outbreaks," Ms McLennan said. "We would encourage everyone to get tested if they have even the slightest symptoms."
City of Ballarat has now gone two days without recording a new active COVID-19 case. Active cases fell by two to 22 cases on Tuesday. There have only been three new cases in the past five days compared to 17 cases found in the five days prior.
IN OTHER NEWS
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced on Wednesday his team was getting closer to publishing details about where COVID-19 positive people had visited, now overall case numbers were dropping.
"I think it might have particular relevance for rural and regional Victoria or some other places were maybe people have gotten complacent about the fact that they haven't seen a confirmed case, if there's a prompt that makes people reflect on the fact that they're symptomatic and get tested," he said.
As City of Ballarat infections fall, Hepburn and Pyrenees shires are without active cases after each recording two at the start of this month. Golden Plains remains with three cases, while Moorabool Shire has two more cases, taking its active tally to six infections.
Ballarat Health Services reported it was working to map all cases in Ballarat with some COVID-19 sources unknown.
"Given that there is evidence in Ballarat of COVID-19 contracted from an unknown source it remains critically important that anyone with even the slightest of symptoms self-isolates at home, leaving only to be tested for COVID-19," a BHS spokesperson said.
Professor Sutton has said seasonal influenza had "virtually disappeared" from Victoria. But, this also increased the likelihood of cold or flu-like symptoms being coronavirus.
In Ballarat, Ms McLennan said presentations of common coughs and cold rose at the Lucas clinic when school returned this term. This eased off in a return to remote learning.
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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