MID North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) has thanked the community for coming forward in record numbers for COVID-19 testing, with more than 1200 tests conducted in the region yesterday.
More than half of those tests were undertaken at Coffs Harbour, which, from noon today, will have a drive-through clinic in operation at the International Stadium.
Chief executive Stewart Dowrick said since the Bondi cluster began in mid-June there had been increased testing across the district, but the past 24 hours had seen a surge in local testing. In the past week just over 3200 tests have been conducted.
"Thank you to everyone who has come forward for testing so far, helping to protect themselves and their communities," Mr Dowrick said.
In the past four weeks, more than 14,802 tests have been conducted across the Mid North Coast. Of those, there have been 1861 in Kempsey; 6520 in Port Macquarie; 4552 in Coffs Harbour; 1018 in Nambucca and 5110 in the Mid Coast (Taree, Forster, Gloucester) local government areas.
Testing numbers remain high at Port Macquarie, Kempsey, South West Rocks, Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour.
"I would particularly like to acknowledge and thank the 653 people who attended our Coffs Harbour clinic for testing yesterday. Our staff did a fantastic job ensuring everyone was tested and although at times there was a long wait, we greatly appreciate the effort our community has made," Mr Dowrick said.
"Today's opening of the drive-through testing clinic at the stadium will enable us to increase our testing capacity and hopefully reduce waiting times."
People do not need a referral or a booking to visit any the drive through, pop up or hospital clinics in the region.
To find your nearest COVID-19 testing clinic visit the NSW Government website:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics.
Mr Dowrick encouraged people to remain vigilant for COVID-19 symptoms and to get tested for even the mildest of symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
"We don't want people to dismiss their symptoms as a cold, we want them to get tested to confirm it's not COVID-19," Mr Dowrick said.
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