Please continue to be tested

Following a busy long weekend Bass Coast Health is urging people with Covid symptoms to continue to get tested to help contain the spread of the virus in the community.

Symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, dry cough or fever.

In the first instance, Bass Coast Health (BCH) is urging people to have a Rapid Antigen Test.

BCH is giving Rapid Antigen Tests to eligible people from an annex at the Phillip Island Health Hub from 9.30am-11.30am, Mondays and Thursdays only.

BCH is also offering rapid tests for eligible people from the triage tent at the testing site in Watt Street, Wonthaggi (former secondary college site), as well as PCR testing. The site is open 9am – 1pm Mondays to Saturdays (closed Sundays).

To be eligible for Rapid Antigen Tests, people need to have Covid symptoms; or be a confirmed contact of someone with Covid and require a rapid test on day one and day six; or be another contact such as a work, social or education contact, or a member of a high-risk industry surveillance group.

BCH received approval to distribute packs of five Rapid Antigen Tests to eligible members of the public.

Rapid tests are now considered official results and positive results need to be reported to the Department of Health by calling the Coronavirus Victoria Hotline on 1800 675 398 or online at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report

If you have symptoms a RAT test is an acceptable confirmation test and a PCR is not required.

If you have no symptoms but are a confirmed household contact or a household-like contact or other contact, BCH can provide you with your RATs and has stated staff will of course assist anyone who prefers to have a PCR.