It was a quieter start to the week, with greatly reduced waiting times at all testing sites in the shire.

Although test numbers at the Cowes Drive Through were comparable to Saturday’s figures, Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said the longest wait time was around one and a half hours (in contrast to eight hours on Saturday).

Testing figures at all sites remained high: Cowes 332, San Remo 264, Cowes Walk-in 212, Wonthaggi 195, Bass 61.

Ms Child encouraged people to get tested and urged everyone to keep up-to-date with the exposure sites listed on the government’s coronavirus website.

“People need to really keep an eye on it, because things can change within a second.

“Be aware, this isn’t over yet.”

So far, no positive test results had been returned from the testing blitz, but she said the next couple of days were important.

“If you have symptoms, please come forward and get tested,” she said.

“If you’re not sure if you have been to an exposure site at the specified times, get yourself tested.”

Buoyed

Ms Child said the mood around the site had lifted.

“I think people are feeling buoyed that there haven’t been any positive cases yet.

“The angst has gone out of the line.”

A mobile rapid testing unit will join the Cowes site today, giving staff the capacity to process swabs from high-risk cases and receive results within two hours.

Ms Child described it as “another string to the bow” of the increased health response on the island.

The van will remain in Cowes all week if required.

The walk-in site at the Anglican Church in Cowes remained busy yesterday, recording higher numbers than on Sunday, and Ms Child said it would continue to operate for the next few days.

However the Bass testing site has now closed.

San Remo’s drive through ran on Monday and will open again today. Ongoing opening times would be adjusted based on demand.

“The situation is being assessed every day,” Ms Child said, describing the decision to open additional sites as a “day by day prospect”.

She also urged people to book in for a vaccination, especially those in the 1A and 1B categories.

“We have Pfizer available for all health care workers and we’ve got enough staff to be able to administer them.”

On Monday, police and ADF members were visiting homes, checking people were complying with quarantine requirements.

As of last night, no new venues had been added to the government's exposure list although additional exposure times were added for Coles in Cowes.

For the most up-to-date list of exposure sites, go to www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-site