Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the new testing criteria are the broadest in the nation.
“We will ensure that anybody who has the relevant symptoms – that is a fever or acute respiratory symptoms – will be able to be tested for COVID-19,” Mikakos said.
“This is, in fact, the most generous, widest testing criteria that exist in the nation at the moment.”
Testing is available at the state’s 40 fever clinics, pop-up GP clinics and by some GPs.
Mikakos also confirmed that Victoria will bring forward the recruitment of 120 paramedics in response to the pandemic.
The new paramedics were initially planned to be hired next financial year but this will now be brought forward to May and June.
“That is about us making sure every part of our health system is as prepared as it possibly could be,” Mikakos said.
“As part of that recruitment, there will be more paramedics on the road, and also the secondary triage service.”
Service will also be expanded to a 24-hour service over the next six months for the first time.
“This is making sure that all Victorians – no matter where they live – can get the support they will need as part of our COVID-19 response,” Mikakos said.
It comes as Victoria recorded 10 new cases of coronavirus overnight, bringing the state’s total to 1291.
Mikakos said there have been no deaths in the state overnight, with the death toll remaining at 14.
There are currently 40 people being treated in Victorian hospitals, including 15 patients who are in intensive care.
Mikakos said the vast majority of patients in Victoria had recovered from the illness.
So far, 1118 people have recovered from the virus in Victoria, leaving around 200 active cases across the state.
