SIX members of the Australian Defence Force have been deployed to Kyneton Health's COVID-19 screening clinic to help nursing staff members "catch their breath".
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Demand for testing at the site has been relentless in recent weeks, Central Highlands Rural Health's deputy chief executive Phil Catterson said.
"Every day, we have three to four nurses swabbing, four to six nurses on the phones booking appointments and our administration staff supporting the clinic with patient records," he said.
"This is on top of an already busy acute ward and urgent care centre."
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Mr Catterson said the number of people visiting the clinic were increasing daily.
"Last week we saw an average of 160 patients each day. This kind of workload can take its toll so we're very grateful that the ADF team have come to assist our nursing team," he said.
"We can roster in some much-needed days off for our nurses."
ADF officers will help with swabbing patients and triaging those calling to make an appointment for testing. They have medical, nursing and clinical skills and will be in Kyneton for the next two weeks.
Bendigo Health has also used ADF staff as they grapple with surging demand for tests during a second wave of infections across large tracts of central Victoria.
Authorities recorded four new cases in Bendigo today and six in the Macedon Ranges, an area that includes Kyneton.
The number of cases recorded in central Victoria has now more than doubled since the start of July and 73 people are still suffering from COVID-19.
Greater Bendigo and Macedon Ranges have borne the brunt of the second wave in central Victoria.
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