With still more exposure sites reported in Victoria's east, residents west of Melbourne, including Ballarat, are being strongly urged to stay vigilant for coronavirus symptoms.
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There is a "significant number" of people in Ballarat who are under home quarantine after returning from New South Wales.
The city's testing centres have put on extra staff to deal with the extra numbers, but urge people to be patient.
At the weekend, the UFS testing site on Errard Street North tripled the usual number of weekend tests, with 180 people on Saturday and Sunday.
Anyone with the mildest symptoms - a runny nose, shortness of breath, a slight temperature - should get tested immediately, especially if they've just returned from holidays.
UFS' operations manager for primary care, Danielle Tresize, said this was a good thing, as it meant people were taking the changing situation seriously.
"The Ballarat community has always been really positive about stepping forward in getting tests done," she said.
"There's a bit of frustration in the community at the moment because there's a wait for tests, but the Little Bridge Street clinic is now open, and we've expanded our staffing and hours over the weekend to cope with demand."
It's also important for people to keep an eye on the Department of Health and Human Services' list of exposure sites, which is rapidly growing.
"It tells you if it was an exposure site or area of concert, and what you need to do," Ms Tresize added.
Tens of thousands of tests are being carried out across the state, causing a surge in pathology labs across the long weekend - people who get tested should be mindful there may be slight delays in getting results back.
"Most of those people are in home quarantine anyway, it's the ones that are symptomatic or will be cleared after their negative test we want to get through urgently," Ms Tresize said.
People who have come back from NSW must note which category they are in, with different rules for people who returned before and after December 31 at midnight.
"People who came back between the announcement and midnight on December 31 need to have a test, then once that's negative they can go back to work, but if they crossed over after 31st, they must be in home quarantine for 14 days and get an initial test, then they will need a day 11 test, so it'll be January 11 or 12 before they're cleared from home quarantine," Ms Tresize explained.
"If they came after midnight on the first, they'll be in mandatory hotel quarantine.
"If anyone gets any symptoms who hasn't come back from NSW, they should be getting tested."
There will be additional testing staff in place on January 11 and 12, Ms Tresize added, while a decision on extended opening hours for next weekend will be made this week.
The private 4Cyte drive-through testing and collection clinic at the old Atlantic Hotel on Skipton Street will be waiving the need for a GP referral for now.
4Cyte's chief financial officer Ron Tang said there had been about 50 patients per day in Ballarat over the last few days.
"We've seen that double in the last couple of days and expect that to continue for at least a few days more," he said.
"We've got extended hours to accommodate more patients, and more staff on site, so we've got the capacity for a couple of hundred patients each day - the wait time is still okay, relative to across the metro areas."
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Ms Tresize said the best way to keep safe is to get tested immediately, wear a mask as much as possible - it's now mandatory indoors when not eating or drinking in Victoria - and keep up good hand hygiene.
"Be nice to healthcare workers who are doing their best to cope with the demand, and be kind to your neighbours - all these people who came back from NSW ended their holiday early, they probably emptied their fridges and can't go to the supermarket, they're stuck too.
"Support people if you can because a lot of them will be stuck and quarantining."
Testing in Ballarat is available at the Ballarat Respiratory Clinic at 15 Errard Street North, or the Community Health Respiratory Clinic at Ballarat Senior Citizens Centre, at 16 Little Bridge St, Ballarat.
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). 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.
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