This is particular pertinent, Ms McLennan said, with upcoming seasonal challenges like hay fever and a return to classroom learning for schools (whenever this might take effect).

While Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has flagged the start to a plan out of restrictions will be revealed on Sunday, Ms McLennan said the only way to prevent a return to lockdown was for everyone to keep doing the right thing.

"It's important because for the Victorian government to signal a move to ease restrictions, it will only be done on solid data and with a high degree of confidence. To keep that confidence we need to be testing for any symptoms," Ms McLennan said.

"The critical thing is to maintain social distancing, mask-wearing and hand sanitising for a long time.

"We do anticipate when children go back to school, possibly for the start of term four in October, there will be an increase in cold and flu in the community.

"...The issue will still be how we slow the spread of coronavirus. Get tested, no matter how slight the symptoms, because it's the responsible thing to do to move forward."

An analysis of cold and flu product sales in UFS' 24-hour Sturt Street pharmacy show a drop of more than 50 per cent compared to this time last year.

Ms McLennan said there was undoubtedly less cold and flu in the community and this proved how powerful extra hygiene measures had been in slowing the spread.

While Ms McLennan said isolation, as had been enforced in the pandemic, were not sustainable to stop cold and flu this would likely have a big impact on how the community approached cold preventions in the future. For example, greater hand hygiene and possibly a rise in mask wearing.

Anyone with even the mildest compatible coronavirus symptoms are urged to isolate and be tested for COVID-19. This includes coughs, colds, flu, runny noses and hay fever-like symptoms.

IN OTHER NEWS

UFS holds a government contract to conduct symptomatic testing at Lucas Community Hub until the end of this month. Ms McLennan said it was likely this would be extended.

The clinic has already reduced its testing hours to weekdays, 8am-8pm, and weekends 9am-3pm with a clear drop in demand.

There were 82 tests in the clinic on Tuesday, compared to the 280 to 300 daily average three weeks ago.

Testing remains available at the Ballarat Community Health Clinic in Little Bridge Street and at the Ballarat Health Services' public dental site in Sebastopol.

Active coronavirus cases in Ballarat are dwindling. There were five active infections in the City of Ballarat, according to Victorian health department data released on Wednesday afternoon. The city has also been without any new infections for more than a week.

Moorabool Shire has 10 active cases, there is one in the Pyrenees and there remains no active cases in Golden Plains and Hepburn.

Active cases have dropped to 40 in Geelong and eight in Bendigo with each city, along with Ballarat, deemed a regional concern for the state government a fortnight ago.

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.

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