A drive-through clinic at the hospital will provide greater capacity for COVID-19 testing in Inverell, as health authorities respond to "red hot" demand for screening.
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Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall - currently in isolation after testing positive to the Delta variant himself - has just announced a clinic will be established at the Inverell Hospital Community Health carpark from Monday, replacing the clinic at St Elmo's Medical Centre.
Another drive-through clinic has been established at Armidale Regional Airport Business Park by Laverty Pathology.
With the latest outbreak in NSW, the phone lines at the Inverell and Armidale Hospital testing clinics have been "red hot", with reports of people unable to get through to book an appointment.
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"In order to support health authorities in the containment of the Delta variants of COVID-19, it is important that everyone seek testing for the virus at the onset of even the mildest of cold-like symptoms," Mr Marshall said.
"Due to the delicate situation the State now finds itself in, I wrote to the Health Minister and local health district (LHD) demanding additional testing services come online as a matter of priority."
In Inverell, the relocated drive through testing will operate at the Inverell Hospital Community Health carpark from 8am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.
This replaces the former location at St Elmo Medical Practice, and will provide a greater capacity.
[I]t is not good enough that people from Glen Innes have to travel to Inverell or Armidale for testing if they are unable to get into the clinic at Glen Innes Hospital.
- Adam Marshall
"I'm pleased that residents can now access these additional drive-through clinics, without needing to make an appointment," Mr Marshall added.
"I do expect demand will be high and urge the community to remain patient while waiting in line for testing. Both hospital clinics will remain open while the drive through clinics are operational."
The Laverty Pathology Armidale Business Park drive-through clinic will operate between 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Mr Marshall said he was continuing to have discussions with the LHD around the need for additional drive-through testing in Glen Innes.
"We have to remember these towns also service many small outlying communities, and it is not good enough that people from Glen Innes have to travel to Inverell or Armidale for testing if they are unable to get into the clinic at Glen Innes Hospital.
"For the protection of residents and the economy I will continue to advocate for additional drive-through testing to be established at Glen Innes to reflect demand."
COVID-19 symptoms include, fever (37.5 ° or higher), cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, runny nose, loss of taste and loss of smell.
"Everyone must immediately come forward for testing if any of these symptoms appear, then isolate until a negative result is received," Mr Marshall said.
"In order to ensure the greatest number of people can be screened and ruled out as having this harmful illness the Government must make testing as accessible as possible," he said.
To find your nearest testing clinic, visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics, or contact your GP.
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