A positive result on a RAT is currently a reliable indicator of active COVID-19 infection and PCR testing to confirm the diagnosis is no longer recommended in most situations.

In view of this, most people presenting to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District's COVID assessment clinics will be offered rapid screening with a RAT.

People with a positive RAT result should regard themselves as a confirmed case and follow the advice for people testing positive for COVID-19.

People who need a COVID-19 test but who have a negative COVID-19 RAT will be offered COVID-19 PCR testing as has been the practice since the start of the pandemic.

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Please note, RAT kits are not available at any of the local emergency departments for general personal use.

For the 24 hour period to 8pm Monday night (January 10), there were 1448 new COVID-19 cases detected by PCR testing for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, with 205 cases in the Shoalhaven.

Of the Shoalhaven LGA cases, nine were in the postcode 2535; six in 2538; 32 in 2539; 92 in 2540; and 66 in 2541.

A number of local testing clinics are still operating, however due to the changing nature of testing times and availability, links to private clinic operators are being listed and ISLHD recommends you check the opening times listed on their websites before attending a testing clinic.

Local testing sites include (with times given taken from websites up to January 11) -

Shoalhaven Hospital - 2 Scenic Drive, Hospital in the Home (HITH) area; telephone 1300 002 108. Note: no appointment, no doctor referral required. 8:30am-12:30pm and 1.15pm - 4.30pm - seven days.

Bomaderry Histopath Drive-through and Walk-in Clinic - Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre car park, 90 Cambewarra Road, Bomaderry. 8am to 2pm seven days a week. Check clinic operator website for up-to-date testing times: Histopath Diagnostic Specialists

Nowra Southern IML Pathology Drive-Through Clinic - 57 Junction Street, Nowra. Check clinic operator website for up-to-date testing times: Southern IML Pathology

North Nowra Southern IML Pop up Drive-Through Clinic - Bernie Regan Sporting Complex, West Cambewarra Road (enter via Illaroo Rd). Check clinic operator website for up-to-date testing times: Southern IML Pathology

Nowra Showground Laverty Drive-Through Clinic - West Street. No appointment, no doctor referral required. 8am-4pm - Monday-Friday, 8am-12pm - Saturday-Sunday, NOTE - Altered hours in January 2022: January 10-16 8am-12pm.

Culburra Beach Histopath - Crookhaven Park Drive-through and Walk-in Clinic - Culburra Oval Mini Fields Carpark (opposite Culburra Beach Tennis Courts), entry via Prince Edward Ave, Culburra Beach. TEMPORARILY CLOSED. Check clinic operator website for up-to-date testing times: Histopath Diagnostic Specialists

Milton Ulladulla Hospital - 106 Princes Highway, telephone 4454 9100. No appointment, no doctor referral required. Please bring your Medicare card with you. 8am-3.30pm - seven days.

Milton Histopath Drive-through and Walk-in Clinic - Milton Showground, 107 Croobyar Road. 8am to 2pm seven days a week. Check clinic operator website for up-to-date testing times: Histopath Diagnostic Specialists

Sanctuary Point Respiratory Clinic - 195 Kerry Street. Telephone 0478 799 400. Testing times vary daily - Click here to see available times and book.

St Georges Basin Southern IML Pathology Drive-through Clinic - St Georges Basin Sporting Complex, Panorama Road (off Wool Road). Check clinic operator website for up-to-date testing times: Southern IML Pathology

Sussex Inlet Histopath Drive-Through and Walk-in Clinic - Sussex Inlet Aquatic Centre, 21 Thomson Street. 8am to 2pm seven days a week. Check clinic operator website for up-to-date testing times: Histopath Diagnostic Specialists

Ulladulla Respiratory Clinic - 114 Princes Highway. Telephone 4455 5422. Note: Appointment required. Testing times vary daily - Click here to see available times and book.

Again, due to the changing nature of testing times and availability, ISLHD recommends you check the opening times listed on the private clinic operators websites before attending a testing clinic.

More information is also available on the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District website https://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/

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