THE Swan Hill District Health (SHDH) Acute Respiratory Assessment Clinic has experienced a sharp increase in demand following the announcement of the state government's one-week testing blitz.

The clinic had over 60 presentations yesterday with their average daily presentation previously sitting at 11 presentations per day.

To cope with the increase in demand SHDH has been working on deploying additional resources to the clinic to reduce waiting times.

Particular groups are being targeted for testing this week and include community members with even mild respiratory symptoms (e.g. runny nose, scratchy throat).

People who work in areas such as construction, supermarket, healthcare, police, corrections and emergency services jobs are also encouraged to attend for testing as well as people with chronic conditions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.

The testing blitz is part of the state government's initiative to capture a snapshot of the communities infection status.

SHDH is urging people to attend the Acute Respiratory Assessment Clinic at 28 High Street between 11am- 4pm until this Friday.

Testing is free and those not located in Swan Hill should check with their closest health services to find out if there is a testing site closer to home.

If symptoms are not present at the time of testing, self-isolation is not required and people can return to work as usual while awaiting results.

For general information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) go to www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus