Ballarat pop-up COVID testing site to reopen

BALLARAT Health Services has announced the city’s drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Marty Busch Reserve in Sebastopol will reopen tomorrow.

The information was released as part of a 3.30pm update on health service provider’s website.

“There is a confirmed positive case of the Delta strain of COVID-19 in our region, the BHS statement said.

“We urgently need to respond as a community to ensure any infections in our community are detected and contained quickly.

“The Delta strain appears to be about twice as infectious as previous strains and can spread more easily and more rapidly even before someone knows they have it.

“In order to support an increase in demand for testing in Ballarat, a temporary pop-up clinic will once again be established tomorrow.

“Our rapid response testing team is stood up-or-down in accordance with local testing demand. Ballarat Health Services continues to work with local health care providers to ensure adequate locally testing is available.”

At this stage the Marty Busch site will be open from 1pm to 7pm on Sunday, and 9am to 6pm on Monday. Entry is from Charlotte Street.

The move comes after a confirmed case with multiple exposure sites was detected in Daylesford on Friday and a second wastewater detection in the Ballarat region on Wednesday.

“There have… been repeat unexpected wastewater detections in the Ballarat South area from samples collected in recent days,” the BHS statement said.

“Anyone who lives, works or has visited the following suburbs is urged to watch for the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms and to get tested as soon as possible if symptoms develop.

“Alfredton, Bakery Hill, Ballarat Central, Ballarat East, Ballarat North, Black Hill, Bonshaw, Brown Hill, Buninyong, Canadian, Cardigan, Delacombe, Eureka, Golden Point, Invermay Park, Lake Gardens, Lake Wendouree, Lucas, Mount Clear, Mount Helen, Mount Pleasant, Nerrina, Newington, Redan, Sebastopol, Smythes Creek, Soldiers Hill, Warrenheip, Wendouree.”

Today BHS stablished a COVID testing site at Victoria Park at Daylesford. It’s open until 7pm, today Saturday, 11 September and 9am to 7pm on Sunday, 12 September.