Victoria to ramp up coronavirus testing

VICTORIANS are being urged to get tested for coronavirus even if they only have mild symptoms, to give authorities a clearer picture of how the illness is spreading in the state.

Premier Daniel Andrews wants 100,000 Victorians to be tested for COVID-19 in the coming two weeks, on top of the 104,000 people who have been tested since January.

That will provide Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton with more data to inform his decisions about whether to lift some restrictions, when Victoria’s state of emergency is reviewed on May 11.

Mr Andrews said the blitz will be the biggest public testing program Victoria has ever undertaken.

“With that data, with those test results, we will have options to ease some of the restrictions that I know are frustrating and challenging and difficult, but restrictions that are working,” he said on Monday.

“This is like a double check. This is about absolutely making sure that there’s not something going on out there that we’re not aware of it.”

There are currently 43 sites where Victorians can get tested for COVID-19, including Mildura, but more clinics are set to open during the week.

Mobile screening clinics will also begin operating to visit homes and workplaces.

Common symptoms of coronavirus include fever, difficulty breathing, cough, sore throat, fatigue or tiredness.

But people are being encouraged to get tested even if they have only mild symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat.

There was one fresh case of COVID-19 confirmed in Victoria on Monday, although the total remains at 1349 cases after one positive case was transferred to New South Wales’ total.

Mildura’s total number of cases has not increased for more than a fortnight, remaining on five, while Swan Hill remains on just three total cases.

Mr Andrews said Victoria’s strategy for curbing the illness is working, but it won’t be lifting any stay-at-home until the state of emergency ends on May 11.

That comes despite moves by Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory to ease some restrictions this week.

Prof Sutton isn’t ruling out changing his advice during term two.

“I’m open to it changing in this term. The statement I’ve always said is that I’ll follow the numbers and I’ll follow the evidence,” he said.