MILDURA recorded its highest daily total of positive cases on Tuesday, as the number of COVID cases climbed by more than 100 since the start of this year.
The Mildura LGA recorded 53 positive cases on Tuesday, which surpassed the previous highest daily total of 35, recorded in October.
The latest numbers mean Mildura has had 109 positive cases announced since the start of 2022, and active cases now total 179.
The growth in positive cases corresponded with case numbers across the state, with Victoria reporting 14,020 new COVID cases and two deaths, while 516 people were in hospital and 56 in ICU.
Mildura Base Public Hospital chief executive Terry Welch said the hospital was “extremely concerned” about the latest figures and said “access to testing” was critical.
“We’re seeing a day-to-day increase of COVID-positive patients which is always a concern,” Mr Welch said.
“And that, of course, is on the back of what we know is delay in testing results. It can only tell us that there’s more to come.”
Following the closure of Sunraysia Community Health Services’ testing clinic at the end of 2021, a new COVID testing clinic, run by Australian Clinical Labs, has opened on Deakin Avenue for walk-in patients.
The clinic, which will be open seven days a week, claims results will be received via SMS within 48 hours.
Further testing can be done at Barratt & Smith between 8am and 2pm.
While the ratio of positive cases to COVID patients in hospital remained low, Mr Welch said he was worried about the effect a rise in numbers in the community would have on staff numbers, who he said were out in the community.
“We are able to scale back things to make sure we can staff critical areas, but if case numbers continue to rise by 53 per day, that is an extreme concern for us moving forward.”
The hospital averages six patients per day and has one COVID-positive patient in ICU.
Mr Welch said managing the latest outbreak would require people who were symptomatic to avoid big events and gatherings, and for the community to practise COVID-safe hygiene.
“Don’t go and spread it to others. If you know you’re symptomatic or you’re concerned, just do the right thing,” he said.
“Practise hand hygiene, social distancing, and where possible wear masks. And of course, get access to the booster.”
