Rapid testing unit deployed to Cowes

A Rapid Response Testing van will be located at Cowes from Tuesday morning.

Gippsland Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU) said the LabVan is a mobile COVID-19 Rapid PCR testing unit, developed as part of the Innovative Testing Program.

"Essentially, it has mobile testing capacity of eight tests per hour and generates results quickly (within one hour), so this enables us to get results in real time to stop Covid spread," a spokesperson said.

The van will be stationed at the Cowes Drive Through site.

Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said the rapid testing unit meant swabs from high-risk people could be processed straight away, with the results through within an hour or two.

She describe the van as "another string to the bow" of the increased health response on the island.

GRPHU advised the van will be able to stay all week if required.