While scary and concerning (that's bound to get the doubters fired up), although disappointed the area has been exposed to a possible COVID threat, the response from both the local community and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has been superb. More than 1000 people were tested across the Shoalhaven on Wednesday.

The local health district established extra pop-up clinics at Huskisson, Vincentia and Nowra to meet the demand. And while the testing lines at some clinics were long, leading to extended waits for testing, the feeling was largely one of understanding. Those getting tested had been to locations listed by NSW Health and were "doing their bit to keep the community safe".

Hats off to everyone for their understanding and patience - the staff inside the various testing clinics were doing their best. ISLHD has praised the community for its reaction - getting 1000 people through the testing centres is fantastic. But as they say, if you have been to any of the listed sites on the NSW Health website - please go and get tested and, of course, if you are experiencing any symptoms, which can include fever, cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and fatigue - please get tested.

It's also a timely reminder and perhaps a wake up call for the region - we still have to remain vigilant. We probably have become a bit complacent, living in our own little bubble in the Shoalhaven with no recorded cases, that perhaps the threat is over. We can't - continue to wash your hands, use hand sanitiser, respect the 1.5m distance suggestions and if concerned wear a mask.

Also spare a thought for the local businesses that have been impacted by this latest alert. It was great to see a number of comments of support and encouragement to these businesses on social media. After all, they provide local jobs, local incomes, putting money back into our community and often provide the everyday services we crave.

Robert Crawford, Senior Journalist