A new COVID-19 Respiratory Clinic opened at Erina on May 1, providing Central Coast residents with a third Government clinic where they can be tested for the coronavirus.
Clinics at Wyong and Gosford hospitals have been operational for some weeks.
To be operated by not-for-profit organisation, Central Coast Primary Care, from the grounds of the EV Church at 331 Terrigal Drive, the clinic will be led by local GPs and supported by experienced nursing and administration staff, with the capacity to test over 100 patients per day.
The news came as Central Coast Local Health District revealed that as at 8pm on May 6 number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the Coast was steady at 117, with almost all now having been released from daily follow up.
There have been more than 10,200 tests carried out in the region to date.
Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, said it was hoped the new clinic would help enable the current testing rate on the Coast of 110 people daily to almost double.
“The higher the testing rates, the more confident we can be that ‘community transmission’ is under control,” Wicks said.
Central Coast Primary Care CEO, Michelle Bradbury, said she was proud to bring the service to the community.
“We know that testing for COVID-19 is important to help protect our community and I am pleased with the positive response we have already received from the local community about the clinic,” Bradbury said.
The clinic is free to attend.
Tests will be conducted for people who show even mild symptoms of respiratory illness, including fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath, those who come in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and health care workers who may require a COVID-19 test.
People with severe symptoms are encouraged to consult their usual GP or attend the local emergency department.
It is expected that test results will be made available within 24-48 hours.
People will be contacted by the GP if a positive result is received, or via text message if a negative result is received.
The Erina clinic is open from 10:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Sunday.
Bookings are required and can be made at Central Coast Primary Care’s website, www.ccpc.com.au, or by calling the Clinic on 0435 813 865.
Meanwhile, Laverty Pathology has opened a drive through testing clinic at Wyong Leagues Club.
General Manager, Matthew Brumby,.said residents simply needed to obtain a pathology request from their GP and then drive through for collection of a swab specimen for COVID-19 testing.
“This is by far the easiest, safest and most convenient way for anyone to be tested for COVID- 19,” Brumby said.
The clinic, at, 40 Lake Haven Drive, Kanwal, is open 8-4pm Monday to Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays.
Patients will also need to produce their Medicare card and must remain in their vehicles at all times while a collector in full protective equipment performs the test.
Test results are generally provided to the referring doctor within 24 hours of the samples reaching the laboratory.
Source:
Media release, May 1
Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks
Media release, May 4
Laverty Pathololgy