Prompted by a surge in coronavirus cases, Victorian authorities have taken a proactive approach to find those infected and slow the contagion’s spread. So, how is it going so far?
Is the blitz proving effective?
It’s just too early to say.
On Sunday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said about 40,000 tests had so far been carried out under the suburban blitz.
That is 40 per cent of the State Government’s goal of 100,000 tests, but there is still a week left for officials to meet their objective.
Mr Andrews said a full update on the blitz would be provided in the coming days, but he said the scheme had earned praise from the Commonwealth’s outgoing Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy.
“He’s very comfortable, and in fact, sees this as a textbook response and one that other states will be well served by, having that clearly demonstrated strategy, a very local strategy, given that outbreaks and indeed additional cases are part and parcel of a suppression strategy,” Mr Andrews said.
Why is Victoria on a testing blitz?
While other Australian states appear to have flattened the coronavirus curve, Victoria is suffering a spike in cases.
Just a fortnight ago, the state was recording an average of three new cases a day. By Friday that was 23. On Sunday, officials revealed 49 cases were recorded overnight, taking the stat