Victoria records three new coronavirus cases as thousands of people try to get tested and overwhelm clinics around Melbourne

Victoria has recorded three new locally acquired cases of coronavirus all linked to the cluster in Black Rock, Melbourne, which now stands at 21. 

Thirteen of those cluster cases dined at the Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant on December 21, which was visited by a patron who had been in New South Wales.  

Residents had turned out for testing in increasing numbers on Saturday, overwhelming clinics around Melbourne which experienced lengthy delays. 

Acting Premier Jacinta Allen said the fact all new cases are linked is a positive sign and provides 'great confidence about the situation here in Victoria right now'. 

'I think Victorians can take great comfort from today's numbers,' Ms Allen said.  

'The public health advice is that Victorians should take great comfort from the fact that these are linked cases.

Victoria recorded three new locally acquired cases of coronavirus on Sunday all linked to a known cluster. Pictured, Melbourne residents wear masks as they line up to enter a venue 

All three of the new cases have been linked back to the Black Rock, Melbourne, cluster. Thirteen of those cluster cases dined at the Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant on December 21   

'Strong work has been done by our tracing team, talking to and interviewing the primary and secondary contacts of our cases.'

There were 22,477 test results received in the 24 hours to midnight, up from 18,337 the previous day.

There are now 32 active cases of coronavirus in Victoria. No cases were recorded in hotel quarantine.  

There were lengthy queues at testing sites, with some residents turned away from sites due to high demand.  

Ms Allen thanked Victorians 'for their great response' and acknowledged 'Saturday was a very, very busy testing day across our testing centres'. 

'I want to acknowledge upfront that people did have some long waits for their tests, and we want to thank people for their patience,' she said. 

'It does show that Victorians are understanding the real importance of going and getting tested, weather they are returned travellers, weather they've got any symptoms. 

Ms Allen said there are now more than 190 testing sites operational and that 'testing turnaround times continue to be very, very strong'. 

Thousands of residents turned out for testing across Victoria with testing sites in and around Melbourne overwhelmed 

The government has acknowledged the long wait times for testing but say it shows 'Victorians are understanding the real importance of going and getting tested'  

Drive-thru testing sites, of which there are 13, are open from 8am to 8pm.  

COVID response commander Jeroen Weimar apologised for the long delays and warned residents to expect wait times to be longer than normal.

'I'll apologise for the frustration people feel, I apologise for the length of waiting times but people are getting through testing, turnaround times are happening and we are seeing it in the way this outbreak is being handled,' he said.

'I know it was a very long and busy day and had some long wait times that many of our testing centres across the state.

'There is a 35 per cent uplift in the total number of tests delivered in the south and south-east suburbs yesterday compared to the day before so we are getting the numbers through. 

'So if you are waiting, please bear with us, it is important that we get these tests done so we can continue the encouraging trajectory we on this Black Rock cluster.'

Mr Weimar said testing on weekends had now doubled compared to what was being undertaken a few months ago.   

Two women in face masks are seen in Melbourne's CBD last week with the city back on high alert after cases linked to the Sydney Northern Beaches cluster emerged in the city   

'Our peak load demand has come right between the Christmas and New Year period when, rightly, a lot of people, not only Victorians but the Victorians who are working on our testing system are taking some well earned leave,' he said. 

'The choice we faced before Christmas was, do you hold people over and not let them go on leave after they have absolutely flogged themselves for nine months?

'Or do you say no, you have to stand around on the testing stations on the off chance. We took a view that we needed to have the right balance of resources.'

Victoria expects most of the 60,000 residents who have returned from New South Wales to be tested by Wednesday.

'I would expect in the next two days or so, we will ensure that the majority of those people have got through,' Mr Weimar said.

'I am confident the vast majority will follow through and say, right, I now need to make sure I get tested because I don't want to put myself at risk and more importantly I don't want to put the wider community at risk, including the people closer to me.'

Victoria expects the 60,000 residents who have returned from New South Wales to have been tested by Wednesday (pictured, a border checkpoint in Mallacoota)

NEW VICTORIAN VENUES EXPOSED TO CORONAVIRUS 

Victorians have been urged to get tested and isolate for two weeks regardless of the result if they visited the following venues: 

Royal Brighton Yacht Club (outdoor dining) from 12pm to 2pm on December 29 

Holy Family Parish Doveton Catholic from 4pm to 6pm on December 26

Village Century City (Wonder Woman 1984 Gold Class) in Glen Waverley from 2.45pm to 5.30pm on December 28 

Woodlands Golf Club, Mordialloc, (the clubhouse bar) from 12.30pm to 1.30pm on December 23 and from 4.40pm to 5.15pm on December 28

Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant, Black Rock, on December 21 from 6:30pm-9:40pm 

Victoria shut its border to New South Wales from 11:59pm on January 1.  

Mr Weimar said only residents who have 'genuine hardships' will be granted an exemption.   

'You'll only be granted an exemption for those who have a genuine medical emergency, family hardship reason to get back in,' he said. 

There are currently 170 red zone travellers and those without a permit who are in hotel quarantine.  

Thirteen of the 21 cases linked to the Black Rock cluster dined at the Buffalo Thai restaurant on December 21. 

Health Minister Martin Foley revealed on Saturday the results from genomic testing had directly linked the cluster to Sydney's Northern Beaches outbreak.

Authorities had previously announced they believed the cluster was linked to the neighbouring state, though were waiting for definitive confirmation.

A golf club, cinema and a yacht club were all put on alert on Saturday evening after being exposed to coronavirus - with guests told they must isolate for two weeks.

Victorians need to get tested immediately and isolate if they visited the Royal Brighton Yacht Club on December 29 between 12pm and 2pm.

The same instructions have been given to those who visited the bar at the Woodlands Golf Club in Mordialloc on December 23 and 28. 

Victoria slammed shut its border with NSW at 11.59pm on January 1. Pictured, a police check at a border crossing 

There are now more than 50 sites which have been exposed to coronavirus. 

Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer Professor Allen Cheng said residents should take note of the exposure sites. 

'With this number of close contacts, we are expecting at least some of them may become cases over the next week or so but what is important is that they are in quarantine when they are diagnosed so that the risk of onward transmission is reduced,' he said.