Bendigo coronavirus testing, vaccines increase after cluster outbreak

The organisation runs drive-through and walk-in testing clinics in Stewart Street.

On Monday, it opened a mass vaccination centre in Mollison Street.

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Chief executive Peter Faulkner said on Wednesday morning that demand for both tests and vaccines had been high this week.

"We opened our high volume vaccination clinic Monday, when we had 400 people," he said.

"Tuesday we had around 600 and today we are anticipating it will be even higher - which is terrific.

"In terms of testing, in the last 24 hours we have doubled our testing rate."

Mr Faulkner said the news of Melbourne's COVID-19 cluster drove the initial rise in testing.

"I think when word broke of the outbreak in Melbourne, a number of people increased their interest and got tested and we expect that will continue today," he said.

Testing was set to increase further on Wednesday after news of two coronavirus exposure sites in central Victoria.

A Bendigo hairdresser and the Axedale Tavern were both listed as exposure sites for the virus overnight Tuesday.

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People who attended the tavern on Sunday, May 23 between 11.45am and 1.30pm must get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days.

Anyone who visited Hairfolk hairedresser in Williamson Street must get tested urgently and isolate until they received a negative test.

Mr Faulkner said the health service would have additional support to deal with the demand.

"We will be putting in place additional testing capabilities today as we do expect that there will be an increased demand, and we will be increasing our hours of our services until 6.30pm," he said.

"If there is a lot of demand please be patient, be kind to one another and we will do all we can to ensure everybody gets tested."

The Stewart Street drive-through and walk-in clinics opened on Wednesday from 10am to 6.30pm. They will be open from Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm.

The vaccine clinic is open seven days a week with walk-ins and appointments available between 10am and noon and 1pm and 5pm. Entry is via 113-133 Mollison Street, with disabled access via McLaren Street.

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