Tara Murray
Three new COVID-19 testing sites are being set up in Hume.
The first site at the Hume council offices in Broadmeadows has already opened, while another two will open soon.
They will be at Jack Roper Reserve in Broadmeadows and Gladstone Park Senior Citizens Centre.
A site has also been opened at DPV Health in Schrotters Road, Mernda,
The new sites come amid reports that residents in Hume could be target tested to find any additional cases.
The Age reported that state health officials will launch a mass testing blitz in Hume and Wyndham in a bid to find any remaining COVID-19 cases among the 500,000 people who live in two of the city’s most populous council areas.
Both Hume and Wyndham have had high cases of coronavirus. Currently there are no active cases in either municipality.
A DHHS spokesperson said they are continuing to examine opportunities to keep our testing rates up across the state.
“We have been working closely with industries, local councils, community health organisations and other bodies to undertake targeted surveillance testing, including 14,000 tests across the food processing industry over the last month,” the spokesperson said.
“There are currently no active cases in Hume, but we encourage all Victorian residents, regardless of where they live, to come forward for testing even if they have the mildest of symptoms.”
Hume council’s Michael Sinclair said the council has been working closely with DHHS to support the testing program of our residents during the pandemic.
“We would provide assistance for future measures the Victorian Government sees appropriate to control the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.”
Currently there are three active cases of COVID-19 in the state, with no unknown cases.
There has been 17 days in a row without a new case or death in the state.
Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to make announcements about the next stage of easing of restrictions on Sunday.
