By Laura Michell
Three new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Hume.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) data reveals there are now 40 confirmed cases of the virus in Hume – up from 37 yesterday.
The number of confirmed cases in Whittlesea remains at 24.
Across Victoria, there are 1423 confirmed cases – an increase of 17 since yesterday.
According to the DHHS, the increase in cases includes 11 new cases from the Cedar Meats processing facility in Brooklyn.
There are 45 cases linked to the meatworks, which has closed for 14 days while it is thoroughly cleaned.
All staff have been tested or are in the process of being tested.
The other six additional cases include one returned traveller in hotel quarantine, four others identified through the testing blitz, and one still being investigated.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said up to 100,000 Victorians would be tested for coronavirus as part of a major testing blitz across state.
“The main aim of this increase in testing is to improve access and actively search for cases, allowing us to gain a better picture of this virus and make informed decisions for Victoria,” Professor said.
“We are asking Victorians to again play their part and get tested if they have symptoms, because the more tests we do, the more data we have about the prevalence of coronavirus in the community.
“People with common symptoms of coronavirus including fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell – however mild – are encouraged to get tested.”
A drive-through testing clinic has opened at Pacific Epping, while testing is also being done at Northern Hospital’s fever clinic which is next door to DPV Health.
For more information on testing, visit: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
