Victorians who test positive to COVID-19 will no longer be legally required to report their results, under changes coming in on Thursday.
A state government spokeswoman told The Age that although it was no longer a legal requirement, it was still encouraged that positive cases let authorities know if they catch COVID.
“We still strongly recommend people isolate if they test positive and record their positive results on the website.” the spokeswoman told The Age.
It comes as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state’s pandemic declaration would come to an end next week, meaning Victorians will no longer be required to isolate after testing positive to COVID-19.
GP Dr Brad McKay told Today that from a public health perspective, surveillance of case numbers has been “limited”.
“We already know that (case numbers) are underestimated at the moment,” he said.
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“That will be even worse as time goes on.”
Dr McKay however warned that the pandemic wasn’t over and said it was still encouraged for positive cases to stay home.
“It is really important that if you are vulnerable, if you’re over the age of 65 or 70, and you are testing positive at home, it is really important to register that because that will access other care for you as well,” he said.
The state government’s pandemic declaration will end from 11.59pm on Wednesday, October 12.
