The Shoalhaven District Hospital's COVID-19 testing clinic has closed temporarily so staff can be redeployed to meet the high demand for frontline care.
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Chief executive of ISLHD, Margot Mains, said the recent high demand for emergency care and hospital admissions, combined with COVID-related staff shortages, have hit the district's hospitals.
"The district is implementing measures to address the current challenges, including redeploying all available clinical staff to frontline care with the highest demand," Ms Mains said.
"As part of this, we are temporarily closing the COVID-19 Testing Clinics at Wollongong and Shoalhaven Hospitals."
It is unknown when the hospital's testing clinics will become operational.
The recent demand for emergency care and hospital admissions has also caused lengthy delays and "significant" bed blocks at the Shoalhaven hospital.
One ambulance was allegedly forced to wait outside for four hours with a COVID positive patient before being able to enter the hospital's emergency department, according to reports received by Australian Community Media.
It had also been reported that patients had been placed in X-ray department and adults in the specialised ED paediatric ward because the hospital's emergency department was full.
There were 248 new COVID-19 cases identified in the Shoalhaven in Thursday's update, down from 283 recorded on the previous day.
Health authorities expect case numbers in NSW to double come April, as a new subvariant spreads across the country.
The daily COVID-19 tally for the state has surpassed 20,000 each day this week, except for Monday where 14,970 new cases were recorded.
Ms Mains encouraged residents who have not yet received a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to come forward as soon as they are eligible.
Where to get a PCR test in the Shoalhaven:
According to the Histopath website, COVID-19 test clinics are still open at Bomaderry, Culburra Beach and Milton. The Sussex Inlet clinic has been permanently closed.
Bomaderry
Open seven days a week 8.00am to 4.00pm at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre, 90 Cambewarra Road, Bomaderry
Culburra Beach
Open seven days a week 8:00am to 3:00pm at the Culburra Beach Sporting Fields, Prince Edward Street, Culburra
Milton
Open seven days a week 8.00am to 3.00pm, no International travel testing available, drive-through and walk-in, Milton Showground, 107 Croobyar Road, Milton
Nowra
According to Laverty, the Nowra Showground clinic is open six days a week 8.00am to 12.00pm (closed Tuesdays).
Nowra Southern IML Pathology is open six days a week, 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 12.00pm Saturday, 57 Junction Street, Nowra
The North Nowra clinic at Bernie Regan Sporting Complex is closed.
St Georges Basin
St Georges Basin Southern IML Pathology clinic is open six days a week 8.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday, closed Saturday and open 8.30am to 3.30pm Sunday, St Georges Basin Sporting Complex (entry off The Wool Road)
Appointment is required at the Sanctuary Point Respiratory Clinic, 195 Kerry Street, call: 0478 799 400
Ulladulla
Appointment is required at the Ulladulla Respiratory Clinic, 114 Princes Highway, call: 4455 5422
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Grace Crivellaro
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
