Cases climb as Christmas approaches
Bass Coast records its highest number of positive cases since the pandemic began.
There were long waits at testing sites in Wonthaggi and Cowes over the weekend, as Bass Coast recorded its highest number of positive cases since the pandemic began.
As of Monday, there were 57 cases in Bass Coast according to state government figures, with 15 of these on Phillip Island or in San Remo.
Gippsland Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU)said it was managing 340 positive cases throughout Gippsland. Thirty-four of these cases are in Bass Coast.
Across Gippsland, there were nine people in hospital, four of those in ICU.
With Christmas fast approaching, GRPHU predict the demand for testing will increase “as more travel is planned over this period”.
While local numbers remain relatively low, a GRPHU spokesperson said the long queues at the drive through site could be due to people reaching a testing timeline period, for example day 6 or day 13, or being named as a close contact of a positive case.
Wonthaggi reported a four hour wait on Saturday, with patrons queuing for up to two hours to get tested in Cowes.
Bass Coast Health said the demand for tests had increased substantially.
Cowes drive through site is currently testing on average 120 people per day, twice the number of tests compared to six months ago. Wonthaggi is testing up to 300 people per day, compared to around 180 per day six months ago.
