WIMMERA health services say they have not been contacted by the state government in relation to new assessment clinics and health teams to reduce the spread of coronavirus in regional Victoria.
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On Friday, Victoria's Health Minister Jenny Mikakos announced there would be new clinics and contact tracing teams in locations including Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca, Wonthaggi and Geelong.
Jo Martin from Rural Northwest Health said the organisation had not heard about any clinics in the area.
"25 people have been tested the week finishing today," she said. The Warracknabeal institution is a referral-only service rather than a clinic members of the public can go to.
In Nhill, West Wimmera Health Service acting chief executive Darren Welsh also said he was not aware of any new clinics being set up in the region. The WWHS redirects people to Horsham's Wimmera Health Care Group for COVID-19 testing.
In Ararat, East Grampians Health Service chief executive Andrew Freeman said the government had not contacted him in relation to new clinics.
"I would assume they are deploying contact tracing teams where there are known active cases," he said.
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"We are testing about 200 people a week (at its Ararat assessment clinic) and we are meeting demand. We are moving our staff numbers around to meet the testing demand as it comes in."
The Mail-Times has contacted Stawell Regional Health, Wimmera Health Care Group and Edenhope hospital for comment.
In a press conference with regional media on Wednesday, Premier Daniel Andrews did not rule out more testing sites and regional health teams where they were needed during the pandemic.
"There will be more... if there is a need to open up another one, rest assured we will," he said.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
