More COVID-19 Clinics across FWLHD Border Towns to help stop spread of Virus
The Far West Local Health District is significantly increasing its COVID-19 testing capability across the border towns in our LHD in response to the evolving situation in Victoria.
The LHD will be working in partnership with key stakeholders to provide more dedicated COVID-19 testing across the NSW Victoria border communities of Wentworth, Dareton, Buronga, Euston and Balranald.
'These are expanded and additional clinics and in some cases, new clinics, for those townships,' said Mr Umit Agis, Chief Executive, Far West LHD. 'In some towns, for example, where we only had a pop up clinic, we now have a seven-day a week permanent clinic.'
Mr Agis said that the additional clinics will run indefinitely at this point, in response to the evolving situation in Victoria and in response to the call for more testing by NSW Health.
'We may need to adjust hours of operation depending on when we get more intelligence about movement of people in the community. I don't see us ceasing it anytime soon,' he said.
Mr Agis stressed that increased vigilance is a priority. 'We are concerned and are actively encouraging everyone, including our Victorian visitors, if they have any symptoms at all, to come forward and get tested.'
The COVID-19 testing clinics and sites are:
WENTWORTH
- COVID-19 drive through clinic at Wentworth District Hospital, Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm - starting on 13 July 2020).
- Pop up mobile clinics, sites to be advertised.
EUSTON
- Pop up clinics at sites to be advertised, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm - starting 13 July 2020.
- Mobile clinics across various community sites, to include people such as seasonal workers.
DARETON
- Mobile pop up clinics at sites to be advertised, held on Tuesday 14 July and Tuesday 21 July 2020.
BURONGA
- Drive through clinic, seven days a week at Midway Centre. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 2pm. Starting 11 July 2020.
BALRANALD
- Drive through clinic at Balranald MPS, Monday to Friday, 1pm to 4pm.
- Pop up clinics at sites to be advertised, on Thursday 16 July and Thursday 23 July 2020.
Mobile Pop Up Clinics
- Clinics provided by the RFDS, WNSW Public Health Unit and Far West LHD across all LHD border communities on a daily basis to high risk areas, are being planned.
The LHD is working in partnership with Royal Flying Doctor Service, Wentworth Shire Council and Balranald Shire Council, WNSW Public Health Unit, Coomealla Aboriginal Health Corporation and Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Corporation to provide the increased dedicated COVID-19 testing sites across the area.
The public are reminded they can register to receive their COVID-19 test result by SMS which is significantly quicker than other forms of notification - typically about 24 hours after testing.
Far West LHD staff will help you register for the SMS when you get a test, providing you have your phone or device with you. If you test positive, you'll be contacted directly by a public healthcare professional as a priority.
People are reminded that once tested it is essential they follow directions they receive about home isolation and quarantine.
The public's understanding and patience during this time is appreciated. Everyone can play their part in containing the spread of COVID-19 by doing the following:
- Regularly clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based rub
- cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or cough or sneeze into your flexed elbow
- avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
- stay home if you are sick
- maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres.
Visit the NSW Health website for more advice at https://www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19
If you have any questions or concerns 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.