TESTING numbers for the deadly coronavirus remain strong and steady in Ballarat, despite waning turnouts statewide amid the latest Delta outbreak.
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UFS primary care operations manager Danielle Tresize said the city's main testing centre, run by UFS, was continuing to average between 150 to 180 COVID-19 tests on weekdays and 80 to 100 tests on weekends.
Ms Tresize said there had been a notable jump in people getting tested in Ballarat this month in line with the virus being detected at Bacchus Marsh Grammar. UFS extended testing hours to meet demand.
Less than 30,000 COVID-19 tests were processed from across Victoria on Sunday, according to Victorian health department figures released on Monday. This is far below the 40,000 mark authorities are aiming for daily.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews imposed a strict curfew on Melbourne from Monday, along with a two-week lockdown extension, after 22 more COVID positive cases were recorded, including five new mystery cases.
Premier Andrews said the state had no choice given the number of mystery cases, illegal gatherings at the weekend and the number of children spreading the virus.
Seventeen of Monday's new cases were linked to known outbreaks, while 14 cases were in quarantine throughout their infectious period.
UFS has also experienced an increase in demand for COVID vaccines.
Ms Tresize said UFS has particularly had an influx of calls from younger adults seeking bookings after Committee for Ballarat and The Courier stepped up a call on under-40s to get the jab.
Waits for AstraZeneca vaccines are about three weeks via the UFS clinic with first dose Pfizer bookings available from October.
Premier Andrews made AstraZeneca available to adults aged under-40 via all state-run vaccination hubs from last week. In Ballarat, the state hub is run by Ballarat Health Services at The Mercure.
COVID-19 vaccinations are also available from some general practitioners.
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BHS was forced to shorten its operational hours for jabs from last week, due to a vaccine shortage, but confirmed on Monday it would continue to adapt under the state government's aim to deliver one million vaccine doses in the next five weeks.
BHS confirmed in a statement that additional appointments were being made available and "we encourage those eligible for a vaccination to roll up their sleeve.
There are a combined 1000 jab booking available each day between UFS and BHS hubs. Committee for Ballarat chief Michael Poulton has flagged the potential for at least 16,000 jabs in Ballarat arms by August 31.
To book a jab, call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or go online to portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/. Or, for the UFS clinic on Dana Street, call 4320 0891 or online ufs.com.au/vaccine (AstraZeneca only). Or contact your GP.
Anyone with the slightest cold, flu or hayfever-like symptoms is urged to book a COVID-19 test on 43 11 1571.
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