The State Government has announced a new “suburban testing blitz” across 10 suburbs listed as priorities including Hallam.
It comes as Victoria notched up its ninth consecutive day of double-digit growth – with cases rising by 33 to 1917 on Thursday 25 June. Of them, 1732 people have recovered from the virus.
A team of 800 testers to zero-in on community transmission with a fleet of mobile vans. Over the next 10 days, residents of the 10 suburbs will receive free testing – with or without symptoms.
Priority suburbs include Hallam, Pakenham, Keilor Downs, Broadmeadows, Maidstone, Albanvale, Sunshine West, Brunswick West, Fawkner, and Reservoir, with Keillor Downs and Broadmeadows identified as the top two and focus of the next three days of testing.
“Our aim is to do 10,000 tests a day across these areas,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
According to the latest health data on Thursday 25 June, 11 active cases of the virus were recorded in Casey City while Greater Dandenong and Cardinia had five cases respectively.
Currently seven people are in hospital, including two patients in intensive care, according to the 24 June figures.
There are now 240 confirmed cases believed to be related to community transmission in the state – however this was down by one in the past 24 hours.
A surge in cases across the state comes as new drive through testing site opened in Casey Fields in Cranbourne East on Thursday 25 June.
Of the new cases, nine are connected to known outbreaks, seven are in hotel quarantine, six are from routine testing and 11 remain under investigation.
Meanwhile, the Australian Defence Force will deploy around 1,000 personnel in Victoria to help contain the recent outbreak.
Up to 850 personnel will provide support to hotel quarantine monitoring, while around 200 personnel will provide logistical and medical support for public testing initiatives.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said: “Don’t take this disease lightly. if you feel unwell with any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you should stay home and get tested.”
