By Alesha Capone
Residents with even the mildest COVID-19 symptoms are being encouraged to get tested as part of a new testing drive in Wyndham and Hume.
The Department of Health and Human Services launched the testing drive on Sunday, with five pop-up testing sites set up across the two municipalities.
The testing in sites in Wyndham are at the Jamieson Way Community Centre in Point Cook, Tarneit Community & Learning Centre and Werribee South Foreshore Reserve.
Hours of operation will vary, with the Point Cook site’s last day of operation to be Saturday, November 21 and the other two sites to finish up on Sunday, November 22.
Wyndham and Hume have been among the municipalities hardest hit by the virus, with Wyndham recording a total of 2265 cases and Hume 1663 cases since March.
The DHHS said that more pop-up testing sites would be set up in other local government areas in the coming weeks, as well as at summer hotspots.
Wyndham council’s chief executive Kelly Grigsby said that even residents without any COVID-19 symptoms would be able to get tested.
“Our community has so much to be proud of, we’ve come so far,” Ms Grigsby said.
“On 9 August, just three months ago, we had 942 active cases recorded within Wyndham.
“Today we have no recorded cases.
“But one thing we’ve learnt about this virus is that it spreads silently and rapidly – and that
three-quarters of those with the virus aren’t showing any symptoms at all.
“This means they could have COVID-19 and be passing it on without even realising.”
“There is absolutely no reason to be alarmed. We’re doing an exceptional job, but as restrictions ease and we begin to open up more, we need to ensure that we are staying on top of any cases.”
“This is an important measure we must take to ensure that as we open up, we can stay open. Every test counts.”
Ms Grigsby said that the Council has been working closely with the DHHS to establish the new testing sites throughout the city, ensuring better access to testing and information for the community.
“We’ve said since the beginning of this pandemic that we’re all in this together,” she said.
“That’s equally as important as we enter this next phase of the pandemic. We all must do our bit.” Between November 2 and November 15, 8588 COVID-19 tests were carried out in Wyndham, with all tests returning a negative result.
On Monday, Victoria recorded its 17th straight day of no new cases or deaths from the virus.
As of Monday, there were three active virus cases in Victoria – two in the Greater Dandenong area and one in the Casey area.
A total of 19,523 Victorians have recovered from the virus, while 819 Victorians have died from the virus.
Visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/wyndham-and-hume-testing-drive-covid-19 for testing site details.
