Please get tested for travel after 12 noon

THE Victorian Department of Health has called on the community to help ease the pressure on the state’s testing centres by getting tested for travel requirements after 12 noon daily.

The Department has reiterated that PCR testing for interstate travel is not the most efficient use of testing resources in the current environment.

“But we recognise that Victorians getting tested for travel are simply doing the right thing and following the rules in place at their destination.

“We kindly ask people who are getting a PCR test for travel purposes to get tested after 12pm daily.

“This will help reduce testing demand for symptomatic people and contacts during the busier morning period.”

Local testing times

Wednesday, December 29

• Wonthaggi (Bass Coast Health): 9am-4pm
• Cowes 9am-2pm
• Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic 1pm-5pm (phone appointments 0492 036 568)
• Leongatha (GSHS) Closed
• Foster Respiratory Clinic 9am-12.30pm (appointments 5682 2088)

Thursday, December 30

• Wonthaggi (Bass Coast Health): 9am-4pm
• Cowes 9am-2pm
• Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic 1pm-5pm (phone appointments 0492 036 568)
• Leongatha (GSHS) 9am-2pm
• Foster Respiratory Clinic 9am-12.30pm

Friday, December 31

• Wonthaggi (Bass Coast Health): 9am-4pm
• Cowes 9am-2pm
• Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic (Closed)
• Leongatha (GSHS) Closed
• Foster Respiratory Clinic 9am-12.30pm

Saturday, January 1 (Closed)

Sunday, January 2.

• Wonthaggi (Bass Coast Health): 9am-4pm
• Cowes 9am-2pm
• Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic (Closed)

Monday, January 3

• Wonthaggi (Bass Coast Health): 9am-4pm
• Cowes 9am-2pm
• Wonthaggi Respiratory Clinic (Closed)
• Leongatha (GSHS) 9am-2pm
• Foster Respiratory Clinic Closed

Case numbers

The modelling has always shown a rise in cases over the December to January period, and the new Omicron variant has shown us this pandemic is far from over.

"We’re still learning about this variant, so we’re taking careful steps to ensure the safety and health of everyone in the community like wearing masks and getting tested – but one thing we know that works against this variant is that crucial third dose.

"With nearly 93 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over double vaccinated, Victoria is one of highest vaccinated jurisdictions in the world and we want to keep it that way – so book your appointment today.

Contact tracing data

The media reports this morning are not an accurate reflection of what has occurred here. The Department of Health has always acted to protect contact tracing and QR code data – and this matter was dealt with through the courts as the appropriate forum to stop the release of such information. Worksafe’s attempt was unsuccessful and the Department asked the court for this matter not to be dealt with publicly to ensure that Victorians can continue to have confidence in one of the key measures to keep us safe. We've never handed over contact tracing information in such circumstances - and our new pandemic framework ensures that individuals contract tracing information is protected in law.

Statewide update

Victoria was notified of 2,738 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. All cases were locally acquired except for three cases which were acquired overseas. Just 66,683 COVID-19 tests were processed on Monday, December 27, a number that was impacted by the lack of testing facilities.

The 10 LGAs with the highest number of new cases are Hume, Wyndham, Melbourne, Brimbank, Darebin, Whittlesea, Moonee Valley, Melton, Casey and Yarra.

Locally, there were 306 active cases of COVID-19 in Gippsland with LGAs as follows: Bass Coast 54 active cases, 4 new; Baw Baw 111/5, East Gippsland 14/2, Latrobe 72/6, South Gippsland 20 active cases, 0 new cases, Wellington 35/6 Total active cases Gippsland 306/new 23.

There are 17,821 active cases in Victoria.

94.5 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have now had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 92.8 per cent have had two doses.

There are 361 COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria – 69 active cases in ICU, with 33 of those on a ventilator. There are an additional 55 cleared cases in ICU.

Sadly, the Department was notified yesterday of four deaths of people aged in their 60s, 80s and 90s. This brings the total number of deaths in Victoria since the pandemic began to 1499.