Far West LHD COVID-19 Testing and Screening Clinics during Holiday Period
Testing and screening for COVID-19 will be maintained during the Christmas and New Year holiday period by the Far West Local Health District with some changes to the existing operations.
The LHD will be providing its drive through clinic from a new location. It will relocate from its current location at the Community Health Centre to the Broken Hill Hospital (accessed via Hospital Road). The drive through clinic will close on Friday, 18 December 2020 and reopen on 18 January 2021 at its new location.
'We are maintaining the COVID-19 test and screening clinic at the hospital and at same time will continue to provide a drive-thru capability for the public next year. Testing and screening is vitally important in our efforts against the virus and testing availability will be maintained until the community wide vaccination program is in place,' he said.
Mr Agis added the move to a drive through test and screening clinic at Broken Hill Health Service enables the LHD to also more effectively manage heat issues for staff working outside in PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) during the heat of summer.
The Broken Hill Health Service clinic will be open 10am to 8pm, 7 days a week (Thomas Street entry) throughout the holiday period.
The other COVID-19 clinics in the Far West LHD will be operating:
Buronga Midway Drive Thru Clinic: Closing on 18th December 2020, until further notice.
Wentworth Health Service: Monday to Thursday, 10am to 3pm excluding public holidays. After 4 January 2021, the clinic operating hours will revert back to five days a week (Monday to Friday) from 10am to 3pm.
Balranald Drive Thru Clinic: Monday to Friday, 1-4pm excluding public holidays. Testing will be conducted at the Balranald MPS Emergency Department outside of these hours.
Ivanhoe, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, White Cliffs and Menindee Health Services: No scheduled clinics. Testing available as required via facility Emergency Departments.
The changes have been scheduled to accommodate the traditional 'shut down' period for the health service over the Christmas/New Year period and to allow the appropriate resourcing of the clinics during this time.
The Far West LHD urges everyone to maintain their vigilance against the COVID-19 virus during the holidays.
Your best protection against COVID-19 is to do all of the following:
- Keep 1.5 metres apart.
- Wash hands regularly.
- Wear a mask if unable to physically distance. Even if you're wearing a face mask, it's really important to keep your distance from others.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, get tested immediately and self-isolate. Remember - if you have even one symptom, and even if it is mild, get a test. Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, body aches, sore or scratchy throat, headache, runny nose, muscle pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, or loss of taste or smell.
The Far West LHD will maintain its test and screening capability to meet any increase in demand throughout the holiday period.
If you have any questions or concerns during the holidays you can call the National COVID 19 Call Centre on +61 1800 020 080. For any Public Health related issues contact +61 1300 066 055.