South-west respiratory clinics confirm no new cases of coronavirus, as Victoria's numbers spike

Victoria recorded 77 new cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, the highest daily spike since the beginning of the pandemic and 66 new cases were confirmed on Friday, marking 17 days of double-digit case numbers, bringing the state's total to 442 active cases.

South West Healthcare has screened 350 people in the past week, taking their total screening tally to 4938.

This includes 323 symptomatic patients tested at the Warrnambool Respiratory Assessment Clinic, 24 screened screened at the Warrnambool emergency department and one at Camperdown Hospital.

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Two asymptomatic returned travellers were also screened at the Warrnambool Respiratory Assessment Clinic.

The recently-opened Great South Coast Respiratory Clinic screened 30 people in its first week of operation.

Portland District health chief executive Christine Giles said testing increased over the past week.

"The staff have told me they're doing anything from 40 to 70 tests a day," she said.

"It's pretty busy with no positive tests returned and tests taking only two-to-three days to get results."

Despite returning all negative tests, Ms Giles said staff were testing a number of people with symptoms of the virus.

She also warned people to stick to social distancing restrictions after seeing crowds in shops and on the wharf.

"My message is to enjoy the thrill of catching a fish but take photos separately. If you go to a shop that's crowded, come back later. I'm seeing a lot of people around and it's just increasing chances of spreading an infection."

Hamilton's Western District Health Service chief executive Rohan Fitzgerald said the hospital had also seen high testing numbers over the past week.

"We are still seeing demand for COVID-19 testing with 138 people presenting at our drive-thru clinic and emergency department this week," he said.

"Since early March WDHS has tested 1914 people for the virus, with seven of those testing positive.

"The last positive test result in the Southern Grampians Shire was identified on April 10."

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