More than 10,000 people have refused to be tested for coronavirus in Melbourne's hotspot suburbs, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has revealed as 66 new cases across the state were confirmed.
Ms Mikakos labelled the refusal as "disappointing" and urged residents to get tested.
"That might be for a range of reasons, including that they may have already been tested in a different location, we are analysing that data to see exactly why people are refusing, but it is concerning that some people believe that coronavirus is a conspiracy or that it won't impact on them," she said.
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"So what I want to stress here is that coronavirus is a very contagious virus. It can go through your family very quickly, it can affect your neighbours, your loved ones, and your entire community. So for those individuals in those communities who have not yet been tested, we are urging them to get tested as quickly as possible."
The postcodes with the highest number of new cases in the past week included 3064, 3047 and 3060.
A total of 24,000 COVID-19 tests were undertaken yesterday in Victoria.
Victoria has recorded 66 cases of coronavirus, bringing the state's total to 2368.
https://twitter.com/andrew_lund/status/1278861637240238081Among the new cases, 17 were connected to contained outbreaks, one case was connected to hotel quarantine, 20 were a result of routine testing and 28 were under investigation.
There are 442 active cases across the state.
The number of patients in hospital has grown to 23, with six patients in intensive care.
More mental health funding
Almost $2 million in additional funding will be provided to mental health services to help people struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic, particularly those living in Melbourne's 10 hotspot postcodes.
"That extra funding will go to mental health service providers and mental health support with a real focus on those hotspot suburbs," Premier Daniel Andrews said.
"So the people who are under significant stress and are dealing with really significant challenges, very real challenges, can get support and care they need now more than ever."
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos stressed residents living in the impacted suburbs could leave their homes to seek medical care or mental health support.
"People can seek support, whether it is at the community health centre or any other mental health service, in those locations," she said.
No new cases have been confirmed in NSW overnight.
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