The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has thanked the community for coming forward in large numbers for COVID-19 testing, with more than 1000 tests carried out in the first eight hours of expanded clinics in the Shoalhaven.
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"I want to sincerely thank the Shoalhaven community for quickly getting behind our call to get tested," said ISLHD Chief Executive Margot Mains.
"Our teams established three pop-up drive through testing sites at Huskisson, Vincentia and Nowra with terrific support from local private providers.
"Services have also been extended at existing clinics throughout the Shoalhaven so the community can be tested as quickly and easily as possible."
High rates of testing help us to detect any cases in the community as early as possible so I again encourage people to remain vigilant for COVID-19 symptoms and to get tested for even the mildest of symptoms.
- ISLHD Chief Executive Margot Mains
The pop-up sites come after the wife and children of a Melbourne man who last week travelled through NSW while infectious with COVID-19 have tested positive for the virus.
NSW Health has also identified several new close and casual contact exposure sites in Huskisson, Jervis Bay, Goulburn and Gundagai from May 19 to 24.
A list of exposure sites in Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay, Vincentia and Goulburn was released on Tuesday night. That list has grown, with the addition of several exposure sites in Huskisson and Gundagai.
The pop-up testing sites are at -
Nowra Showground pop up clinic (drive-through clinic), West Street, 8am-6pm 7 days per week while required.
Bay and Basin Leisure Centre pop-up clinic, from 6pm today and then 8am-6pm 7 days per week while required.
Huskisson pop-up drive through clinic, back of the Husky Sports Club, enter via the oval off Park Street, operating hours today 10am-6pm, then 8am-6pm 7 days per week.
As well as the new pop-up centres, testing is also being carried out at Shoalhaven Hospital, Hospital in the Home (HITH) area, 2 Scenic Drive, Entry via Shoalhaven Street driveway, 8.30am-12.30pm and 1.15pm-4.30pm 7 days. Note: no referral required.
And Nowra Southern IML Pathology (drive-through clinic), 57 Junction Street, (entry via Collins Way) 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Note: no referral required.
Testing is also available at -
The Sanctuary Point Respiratory Clinic, adjacent to Sanctuary Point Medical Centre, 1.30pm-5pm Monday-Friday. Note: no referral required.
To the south -
Milton Ulladulla Hospital, Enter via main hospital entrance and proceed to reception, 8am-3.30pm 7 days. Note: Booking required via (02) 4454 9100, No referral required.
Ulladulla Respiratory Clinic, 114 Princes Highway, Clinic is located in the carpark directly behind Ulladulla Specialist Centre. Access via South Street car park entrance and also via Burrill Street South, 8.30am-12.30pm. Note: no referral required.
To the north -
Gerringong Medical and Cosmetic Centre (drive-through clinic), 139 Belinda Street, 9am-3.30pm Monday-Friday.
The drive-through testing centres started at 10am Wednesday and together with existing clinics, carried out more than 1000 tests by 6pm last night.
The drive-through clinics will re-open at 8am to 6pm, with these hours in place every day of the week for the next fortnight at least.
"High rates of testing help us to detect any cases in the community as early as possible so I again encourage people to remain vigilant for COVID-19 symptoms and to get tested for even the mildest of symptoms," Ms Mains said.
Symptoms can include fever, cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
"We please ask people not to dismiss their symptoms as a just a cold, we want them to get tested to confirm it's not coronavirus," she said.
Anyone who has visited the locations listed in NSW Health advice is urged to get tested immediately and follow the instructions related to the location.
For the latest information visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates
To find local testing clinic locations and opening hours visit the District's website atwww.ISLHD.health.nsw.gov.au.
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