A sigh of relief could be heard echoing around Phillip Island as this week started with no new cases.

Wastewater testing also failed to find any further traces of the virus.

Despite 32 exposure site listings, miraculously the island and San Remo appear to have avoided any infections.

Bass Coast Health CEO, Jan Child said the community had responded strongly to the call for testing and it was “really good news” that no cases had been detected.

But she said it was still too early for celebrations.

“We’re not out of the water until the end of this week … then I’ll breathe a sigh of relief.

She said most people who were isolating or in quarantine due to visiting an exposure site had now had their Day13 test.

To date, all had returned a negative result.

Ms Child congratulated the community for its fantastic response to the Covid crisis.

“From what I hear, people who are isolating or who are in quarantine are doing the right thing. There’s really low mobility around town and there’s good use of masks.

“Stopping mobility helps enormously with the spread of the virus. I think everyone has done the right thing.”

She praised local businesses for implementing good Covid-safe plans and said it was a factor in the lack of transmission.

She was also thankful that the visitors who tested positive, had been diligent with checking in and wearing masks.

“We had a lot of things going our way,” she said.

No new exposure sites have been listed on Phillip Island or in San Remo since July 19.

Testing sites

Ms Child said while the Walk-in clinic closed on Tuesday, the drive through site in Cowes would continue to operate.

“We will keep the tent open, but will talk with council about the possibility of a different location.”

Operating hours would fluctuate, based on demand.

Between July 16 and 25, the drive through site conducted 2071 tests, peaking at 411 on July 18.

Between July 16 and 25, the drive through site in Cowes conducted 2071 tests, peaking at 411 on July 18. In total, 4912 tests were taken across the five sites in Bass Coast.

Ms Child said if cases were detected in the area, Bass Coast Health was well placed to respond.

“If this ever happens again, we know the Leisure Centre is a great walk-in site. And if we need more sites, the Bass and San Remo locations worked really well.

“We’ve tested the plan and know it works, so we will be able to put it in place quickly if it’s ever needed again.”

She said testing would continue to be a key part of managing Covid, and urged people to get tested if they experienced any symptoms.

“Testing is a key preventative tool to understand what’s happening,” she said.

Updates on site opening and wait times are regularly posted on BCH's Facebook page.

Wastewater

Last week, Gippsland Region Public Health Unit said wastewater testing in the region had been ramped up since the positive cases were identified two weeks ago.

Previous tests taken on July 6, 13 and 17 had not detected any viral fragments, however fragments were detected on July 19 and 20.

Daily tests on July 21, 22 and 23 were all clear.

A spokesperson said the two days that had positive wastewater results were unlikely to have been caused by the visitors who had sparked the original crisis, as they had all returned to Melbourne.

“COVID-19 should clear quickly in waste if the cases leave the area, within 24 hours. The current assumption was the positive wastewater was due to a potentially undiagnosed case.

"However, like everything, there is uncertainty. The more people get tested, the more clarity we will have.”

For details of wastewater testing, go to: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/wastewater-testing-covid-19

See the most up-to-date list of exposure sites at: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites