Victoria set for 100,000 COVID-19 tests prior to ease of restrictions

Daniel Andrews, the Premier of Victoria, has reportedly stated that 100,000 COVID-19 tests will be conducted in 2 weeks ahead of easing of stage 3 restrictions.

Mr. Andrews has added that this initiative is the largest public health testing program, where the data or results from the tests will be collected in a couple of weeks. 104,000 coronavirus tests have been carried out since January in Victoria.

He also added that the ramping up of the testing process would continue for several weeks, however, no restrictions would be eased before the state of emergency in the state is officially ended on 11th May. The Premier has reportedly stated that there were 1,349 positive cases of coronavirus in Victoria, with 17 death cases. Currently, there are 23 people getting treatment in hospitals, including 11 people in intensive care.

The Albert Road Clinic will be closed for 2 weeks following the news of another person who was diagnosed with the virus, bringing to the total number of confirmed cases at the clinic to 17. Around 160 coronavirus tests have been conducted on staff, doctors, and patients in the past 2 days.

Brett Sutton, Chief Health Officer of Victoria, has stated that the testing of people with mild symptoms is extremely critical. He also doesn’t oppose the state’s return to the face-to-face learning of school students, provided there is adequate evidentiary support. He further claimed that this could be the state’s opportunity to conduct research on how the coronavirus affects children.

The new testing initiative will be carried out at walk-up and drive-through clinics by visiting homes and workplaces. The testing can be undertaken at 43 specialist sites in Victoria. Additionally, more testing facilities will be opened in the Northern Loddon and Gippsland. Various industries that are operating at the full capacity will be tested, including agricultural workers, supermarket workers, construction workers, healthcare & aged care workers, as well as people with mild symptoms. It will be conducted alongside wastewater testing to track the levels of the virus in sewage to rapidly take control measures against the local outbreaks.

Source credit:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-27/coronavirus-cases-in-victoria-testing-to-increase/12185900