Bendigo Health says it expects the number of positive coronavirus cases to increase in central Victoria due to new testing guidelines announced by the State Government.

"The new testing guidelines will help us identify if there is a broader prevalence of the illness in the community," a Bendigo Health spokesperson said.

Bendigo Health is currently testing about 40 people per day at its coronavirus screening clinic.

The spokesperson also confirmed that Bendigo Health is currently treating one inpatient with coronavirus.

Wednesday, 9am

Coronavirus testing in Victoria has been expanded in what chief health officer Brett Sutton has called the "widest testing criteria in Australia".

Testing will now be based only on clinical symptoms of coronavirus, regardless of age or occupation.

These symptoms include any new fever, chills or breathing problems, specifically cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.

There are nine confirmed cases of coronavirus in Greater Bendigo, with six in Mount Alexander and five in Macedon Ranges Shire's.

It has been more than a week since any of those shire's have recorded a new coronavirus case.

Only people in the general community with these symptoms will be eligible for testing.

There are 1291 cases of coronavirus in Victoria, with 236 of those in regional Victoria.

More than 71,000 coronavirus tests have been undertaken to date.

There are 40 people receiving treatment for coronavirus in hospital, including 15 patients in intensive care.

Coronavirus testing will continue to include people who have symptoms and are close contacts of confirmed coronavirus cases, travellers from overseas, cruise ship passengers, healthcare workers and people whose employment and contact with the public may place them at high risk.

Mr Sutton said healthcare workers and other frontline employees will be able to have their test results returned faster.

"We are able to expand testing because the number of people returning from overseas has significantly reduced, and more labs have come online," Mr Sutton said.

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