As the number of new COVID-19 cases in Bendigo has declined, so too have testing numbers, with Bendigo Health's public health director urging people to present for testing, even with the mildest symptoms.
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Last week, Bendigo recorded no new active cases, as Bendigo Health conducted 669 tests across its three testing sites, compared to 754 tests during the previous week.
Bendigo Health public health director Leanne Anderson said lower testing numbers are a sign of people following the COVID-19 restrictions and staying home.
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"At the first sign of any symptoms, we would rather have people come in and get tested and have a negative test, than run the risk of having positive cases in the community," Mrs Anderson said.
Bendigo Health does not have testing targets it is required to meet, but as restrictions have eased, Mrs Anderson said the community has lost an important strategy in its fight against the virus.
"Hygiene, restrictions and identification of a positive case are the three strategies we're using," she said.
"By reducing restrictions, we're taking one of those away, making us more reliant on the other two.
"This means getting tested is more important because the virus has the potential to spread faster."
Premier Daniel Andrews has urged Victorians to present for testing and said if test numbers are not maintained, it will hold the state back from taking "future steps".
"The strategy is working, the numbers are coming down, but if we were to open up right now, these numbers are still too high," he said.
Bendigo Health operates two COVID-19 testing sites; at the former Emergency Department at Stewart Street, a drive-through site at Mercy Street.