Testing ramped up

Pop-up clinics target 250 a day

AN ambitious goal to have 250 people per day tested for COVID-19 across the Far North has been set in an effort to protect the region from a second outbreak.

The first pop-up fever clinic was established at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon on Saturday to allow tourists, visitors and residents to be tested for the deadly virus.

Further pop-up testing clinics are expected at other sites across the region, as required, with thousands of people expected to visit the Far North over the coming months.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service medical services executive director Dr Don Mackie said 10 Far North Queensland locals had taken advantage of the free testing service on the Esplanade at the weekend — a figure he’d like to see dramatically increase.

“The more people are tested, the sooner we will be able to act if there is transmission in the community,” he said.

“That gives us a better chance to shut down an outbreak.

“Our goal is to test 250 people a day across the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service area.

“Testing is 100 per cent free and confidential and, on average, results can be obtained within 24 hours.” Police are also carrying out operations throughout the Cairns district, including extensive operations at the Cairns Airport and local nightclubs to ensure people are complying with the chief health officer’s latest directives.

Far North acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said just because restrictions were being relaxed, it was not the time to be complacent.

“We want the community to know that we have done a great job so far, but we are not through this yet,” he said.

Testing for COVID-19 is available at hospitals at Atherton, Cairns, Innisfail, Mareeba, Mossman, Tully and Yarrabah.

There is also a drivethrough clinic at Cairns North Community Health Centre and a GP fever clinic at Woree.

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