CORONAVIRUS testing will be expanded in Ballarat this weekend to help meet a sharp rise in demand in screening for the deadly virus among returned travellers from New South Wales.
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A rush to beat the border closure before January 2 has put pressure on testing facilities across the state.
Ballarat Health Services will re-open its support clinic in Little Bridge Street on Saturday and Sunday while UFS-led Errard Street North Clinic will extend its weekend hours. Both will open 9am to 5pm.
UFS has already extended its New Year's Day hours to 5pm after a surge on Thursday had the clinic booked out.
BHS also reports a rise in people presenting to the Base Hospital's emergency department seeking tests.
The health service stresses not to go to the emergency department for COVID-19 testing. Screenings are only available by booking an appointment in either clinic and people must self-isolate until they have a negative result.
BHS acting chief executive officer Craig Wilding, who is also BHS' primary and community care executive director, assured Ballarat was well prepared and resourced to manage potential re-emergence of COVID-19.
"We have been here before, and so long as we all remain vigilant and do the right thing if we have symptoms, we are confident this outbreak will be contained quickly," Mr Wilding said.
"We ask that the community please reconsider any non-essential travel. The more we can limit movement and potential exposure of the virus, the quicker we will get on top of this new outbreak."
No new cases were recorded in Victoria on New Year's Day but there have been two likely cases identified and linked to a bayside Thai restaurant. This followed five new cases on Thursday, all understood to have links to the Sydney cluster, and which took Victoria's community transmissions tally to eight.
BHS' Rapid Response Testing Team remains on standby at all times to respond as needed as COVID-19 outbreaks occur.
The BHS coroanvirus testing clinic in Little Bridge Street, at the senior citizens club, opens on demand as when travel restrictions were first put on Sydney's hot-spots before Christmas.
IN OTHER NEWS
People are also urged to re-consider their visits to BHS sites.
Visitors are encouraged to regularly check the BHS website for up-to-date information on visiting or attending facilities, including the Base Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Centre and Ballarat Aged Care sites.
As of New Year's Day, most patients and residents are limited to one visitor session per day.
Who needs to be tested?
- If Victorians returned from the New South Wales green zone before 11:59pm on December 31, they need to get tested and self-isolate at home until they get a negative test result.
- Any Victorian arriving from the New South Wales green zone between midnight Thursday to midnight Friday (when the border closes) must get tested and self-isolate at home for 14 days.
- Victorians who were in the Blue Mountains City Council and Wollongong City Council local government areas and who returned to Victoria before 11.59pm on December 31.
- Anyone who has cold, flu or hayfever-like symptoms.
TO BOOK A COVID-19 TEST IN BALLARAT
In the first instance, call the UFS clinic on 4311 1571 or book online go online here.
NOTE: Neither clinic is able to take walk-ups due to COVID-safe restrictions.
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