Record testing - zero positives
The tests have been undertaken since April 27 when the Warragul Respiratory Clinic in Sutton St was one of six in Gippsland identified by the government as testing centres.
Gippsland Primary Health Network said Warragul has been the busiest of the Gippsland centres since the declaration of the pandemic.
Manager of the Warragul clinic Mario Gupta said in addition to people making their own appointments general practitioners throughout the area and the West Gippsland Hospital had been fully supportive by sending any patients with the mildest of symptoms to be tested.
The respiratory clinic has operated from 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays since it opened and has extended its testing to Saturdays from last weekend.
The extra Saturday session from 9am to 1pm introduced to cater for school holidays and people travelling to snowfields was quickly booked out.
Mr Gupta said it stayed open on Saturday on an hour-by-hour basis to cater for the demand.
The clinic tests, assesses and diagnose moderate respiratory conditions including influenza and pneumonia as well as COVID-19.
Mr Gupta said people that have a fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose or shortness of breath should book for a test.
LCH’s Lynne Smith said although the ski resorts including Mount Baw Baw that opened their seasons last week have strict protocols in place relating to curtailing COVID-19 those planning to visit should be tested beforehand.
They should be done several days before they plan to go to the snow and self-isolate until cleared by the test results, she said.
Mr Gupta said the need to have a test if showing any of the symptoms was more important than ever given the spike in cases identified in Victoria during the past week and to find and isolate cases quickly.
“It means you can keep yourself, family, friends, workplace and community safe and continue doing things you enjoy,” he said.
Inquiries to the Warragul Respiratory Clinic can be made online of by telephoning 5642 6666.
Other testing clinics Gippsland are located in at
Morwell, Wonthaggi, Foster, Sale and Bairnsdale.
Ambulance Victoria has also joined the call for continued vigilance, particularly in regional areas where an influx of visitors is expected during the school holidays.
The service’s Gippsland regional director Graeme Parker said as well as people defying current restrictions the spike in detected cases could also be due some having inadequate information and advice.
He urged others to spread the word check on those that may not be able to access upto-date health information.
Paramedics attending callouts continue to take full precautions to ensure they and their patients are safe from infection.
Paramedics are still wearing personal protective equipment and decontaminating ambulances after each patient, Mr Parker said.