Gold Coast GPs urge residents to get Covid test even if have only one symptom, to avoid further lockdown extensions

As health authorities scramble to contain the Delta variant cluster, residents are urged to get tested even if they only have one symptom. WHERE TO GET TESTED >>>

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GOLD Coasters with just one symptom of Covid are being urged to get tested, with health authorities scrambling to contain the Delta variant cluster that is now the largest outbreak Queensland has experienced since the start of the pandemic.

Dr Lisa Beecham, of Robina, said whether it was a fever, cough, fatigue, runny or blocked nose, sore throat or diarrhoea, residents must get tested at a fever clinic or a drive-through testing site.

“Do not go to your GP, only go to a respiratory clinic or private testing facility,” she said.

“Also, we must get all eligible residents vaccinated, AstraZeneca is safe and very effective for over 60s and there’s plenty of stock.

“There’s more risk of a fatal car crash than a clot risk.”

Dr Beecham said the extension of the lockdown was to keep the Gold Coast safe.

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QML Pathology staff test Gold Coast locals. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

Dr Kat McLean, chairwoman of the General Practice Gold Coast board, said “test, test, test”.

“We have a good shot at getting through this lockdown quickly. We do, however, need to know how many infections are out there and identify everyone who may be at risk,” she said.

“If we all decrease our movements and interaction with others it halts the virus in its tracks.”

She said the school outbreaks revealed a “gap in our defence”, saying teachers must have access to immunisations, as should children, who are an “important cohort”.

“Covid spreads through the air and masks seem to be making a significant difference. And I absolutely support recommendations for senior school students who are attending school to wear a mask.

“As much as possible I’d like to see junior school age children also wearing masks.

“We also need to be having conversations about ventilation in homes, schools and workplaces.”

The doctors’ messages come as Queensland Health increases its testing capacity to help manage the surge in demand caused by the latest Covid-19 cluster.

Due to increased demand, private testing and respiratory clinics will not require a GP referral until midnight Friday 6 August 2021.

Participating providers on the Gold Coast include Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (SNP), Queensland Medical Laboratories (QML), 4Cyte Pathology, Medlab Pathology, Mater Pathology and Genomics for Life.

WHERE TO GET A COVID TEST ON GOLD COAST

Medlab Bundall

Address: 88 Bundall Rd, Bundall

Drive-through: No

Phone: [phone]

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-2pm

GP referral needed: Not until August 6

People being tested at the mobile Covid testing centre at Outback Spectacular Carpark at Oxenford. Picture Glenn Hampson.

4Cyte – Southport – Covid clinic

Address: 63 Ferry Road, Southport

Drive-through: Yes

Phone: 13 42 98

Opening Hours: 8am-4pm 7 days

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: No

Notes: No referral needed, no appointment needed, just drive in / walk in

Sullivan Nicolaides – Robina

Address: Shop 9, 100 Cheltenham Dr, Robina

Drive-through: No

How to find us: Robina Parkway

Opening Hours: 7am-5pm – Monday-Friday 8-11am Saturday

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: Not until August 6

Children tested: Yes

Gold Coast University Hospital

Address: 1 Hospital Blvd, Southport

Drive-through: No

How to find us: Corner of Hollows Way and Hospital Boulevard, next to the multistorey car park.

Opening Hours: 9am-9pm – 7 days

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: No

Children tested: Yes

Notes: Screening stations at the entrances near the main entrance, emergency department, ground floor foyer, and the level 1 outpatient clinic entrance, you will be directed to the fever clinic AFTER being seen at the screening station

Additional information: If you require a test for reasons such as overseas travel or work please visit your GP for a referral to a suitable clinic.

Robina Hospital

Address: Campus Cres, Robina

Drive-through: No

How to find us: Level 2 in the Robina Health Precinct Building (opposite Robina Hospital)

Opening Hours: 9am-9pm – 7 days, excluding public holidays

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: No

Children tested: Yes

Additional information: If you require a test for reasons such as overseas travel or work please visit your GP for a referral to a suitable clinic.

Nerang – Covid clinic

Pathology service: 4Cyte Pathology

Address: 52 Price St, Nerang

Drive-through: Yes

How to find us: Located at rear car park of Nerang Cinemas at Earle Plaza

Phone: [phone]

Opening Hours: 8am-4pm 7 days.

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: No

Children tested: Yes

Notes: No referral needed, no appointment needed, just drive in walk in

Sullivan Nicolaides – Parkwood

Address: Basement Level, 306 Olsen Ave, Parkwood

Drive-through: No

How to find us: Parkwood Family Practice

Opening Hours: 8am-4pm Monday-Friday, 8am-12pm Saturday

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: Not until August 6

Children tested: Yes

Sullivan Nicolaides – Nerang

Address: 5 Price St, Nerang

Drive-through: No

How to find us: Hinterland Medical Centre

Opening Hours: 7.30am-5pm Monday-Friday, 7-11am Saturday, 8-11am Sunday

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: Not until August 6

Children tested: Yes

QML Robina

Address: Cnr Scottsdale Drive and Christine Ave, Robina

Drive-through: Yes

How to find us: Diagonally Opposite Bunnings

Opening Hours: 7.30am-4pm Mon-Sun (excluding. public holidays)

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: Not until August 6

Children tested: Yes

4Cyte – Arundel

Pathology service: 4Cyte Pathology

Address: 146 Olsen Ave, Arundel

Drive-through: Yes

Phone: [phone]

Opening Hours: 6am-5pm Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm Sat and Sun

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: No

Children tested: Yes

4Cyte – Mudgeeraba

Pathology service: 4Cyte Pathology

Address: 89 Franklin Drive, Mudgeeraba

Drive-through: Yes

Opening Hours: 9am-4pm Monday-Friday,

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: No

Children tested: Yes

QML – Australian Outback Spectacular Car Park

Pathology service: QML Pathology

Address: Entertainment Rd, Oxenford

Drive-through: Yes

Opening Hours: 7am-5pm Monday-Friday, 8am-12pm Saturday and Sunday

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: Not until August 6

Children tested: Yes

Sullivan Nicolaides – Paradise Point

Address: Shop 3, 6-8 Grice Ave, Paradise Point

Drive-through: No

How to find us: Grice Court

Opening Hours: 6am-2.30pm Monday-Friday

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: Not until August 6

Children tested: Yes

Notes: Bookings are not required.

4Cyte – Currumbin Waters

Address: 26 Galleon Way, Currumbin Waters

Drive-through: Yes

Opening Hours: 8am-3.30pm Monday-Friday

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: No

Children tested: Yes

Notes: If your doctor is unable to collect your swab for you, it is possible to organise a drive-in swab collection with 4Cyte Pathology. You and all your passengers must remain in your car at all times.

QML – Tweed Heads Bowling Club

Address: Cnr Wharf & Florence Street, Tweed Heads

Drive-through: Yes

How to find us: Tweed Heads Bowls Club

Opening Hours: 7.30am-3.30pm Monday-Friday, 8am-2pm Saturday and Sunday

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: Not until August 6

Children tested: Yes

Notes: Bookings are not required.

South Tweed Heads – Covid clinic

Address: 157 – 161 Minjungbal Drive, South Tweed Heads

Drive-through: Yes

How to find us: We’re located at the corner of Minjungbal Drive and Rivendell Drive

Phone: 13 42 98

Opening Hours: 8am-4pm 7 day

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: No

Children tested: Yes

Notes: No referral needed, no appointment needed, just drive in / walk in

Medlab – Dreamworld

Address: Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera

Drive-through: Yes

Opening Hours: 8am-4pm

GP referral needed: No

4Cyte – Pimpama

Address: 7 Curtis Street, Pimpama

Drive-through: Yes

Phone: [phone]

Opening Hours: 7am-5pm Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm Saturday and Sunday

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: No

Children tested: Yes

Notes: Drive in Flagged area near marquee. Wait in the car and call us. You and all your passengers must remain in your car at all times. Call us when you arrive on 0401 401 610 if you need any assistance.

Sullivan Nicolaides – Beaudesert

Address: Shop 1, 49 William Street, Beaudesert, 4285

Drive-through: No

Opening Hours: 6.30am-5pm Monday-Friday, 6.30-11am Saturday

Booking needed: No

GP referral needed: Not until August 6

Children tested: Yes

Notes: Bookings are not required. Provide specialised collection for the under-fours performed by collectors who have been trained in advanced paediatric care.

For a full list of testing locations, including private and drive through clinics visit qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed

DELTA SCARE ‘COULD END VERY BADLY’ FOR COAST

July 27, 2021

THE highly contagious Delta variant of Covid has shut a Gold Coast general practice clinic, prompting a top GP to warn it “could end very badly”.

A patient had visited for another reason but the doctor urged them to have virus test.

The person returned a positive result for Delta, the Bulletin can confirm. It is unclear which clinic has closed or where, but the person who tested positive is believed to have been part of last week’s confirmed cases.

Gold Coast Primary Health Network board chairman and city GP Roger Halliwell said the affected medical centre was “a significant practice”.

Gold Coast Primary Health Network board chairman and city GP Roger Halliwell. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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“The person who tested positive did not attend with respiratory symptoms, he was there on unrelated matters,” he said. “Kudos to the GP who said ‘You should have a Covid test because you look like you’ve got a cold’.

“The Delta virus is now already circulating in the Gold Coast. This could end very badly, like it has in Sydney. This is why we have to jump hard and fast to reduce the risk.”

Dr Halliwell said parents were still bringing in kids who’ve had raspy coughs for a week, but he warned anyone with respiratory symptoms to only attend respiratory clinics.

People being tested at the mobile Covid testing centre at Outback Spectacular Carpark at Oxenford. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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It comes as Queensland reported no new cases overnight on Monday, but contact tracers continue to race against the clock to track close contacts of three infected people active across the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Acting Premier Steven Miles said the lack of new cases was an “excellent result” given the “sheer number of risks” the state is monitoring.

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Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said the genome sequence results from a man who travelled from China and tested positive after leaving hotel quarantine was identical to a traveller who returned from South Africa via Doha. He is now the seventh person in that cluster.

Dr Young said she was still “very, very worried” about the flight attendant and alleged Sydney lockdown escapee, who had been out in the Gold Coast and Brisbane communities while infectious.

She urged people to wear their masks and get tested if you have any symptoms at all: “It’s far too early for any of us to relax.”

Authorities continue to race to identify hundreds of potential close contacts who crossed paths with an infected pair who spent a combined 38 hours in the community across nearly 50 locations.

Meanwhile, Robina GP and General Practice Gold Coast member Dr Lisa Beecham, speaking generally about the state of the virus on the Coast, said: “Delta is here on the Gold Coast, we have to mobilise and vaccinate all eligible people as soon as possible.

“I’m scared. I’m scared my parents are more worried about vaccinating than being worried about this serious disease,” she said.

“If you have the slight sniffle, fever, sore throat, cough, headache then get tested and isolate.

“Do not go to a general practice, go to the respiratory clinics at either Upper Coomera, Hope Island, Burleigh or Nerang.

“Sydney has shown us that even young people die of this but lots of elderly too.

“We need everyone over 60 who hasn’t had their AstraZeneca to book it now.”

Dr Halliwell said vaccinations were going “gangbusters” thanks to the community realising there was a real risk of catching the virus.

People being tested at the mobile Covid testing centre at Outback Spectacular Carpark at Oxenford. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“But we can only give it out as fast as we receive it. Most GPs have pages of patients waiting for Pfizer vaccine but some won’t get appointments before September,” he said.
“Our practice alone has 43 pages of patients waiting for Pfizer, and it’s great there’s high interest but we can only give it out as fast as we receive it.

“Crucially, we must ensure our GP clinics remain open to administer the vaccine, which means people with respiratory symptoms must not attend general practices, and instead visit respiratory clinics.”

He said the AstraZeneca vaccination was still in plentiful supply and anyone over 60s should get the jab immediately.

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“As for those who think they’re special and don’t need to wear masks, they should think about those vulnerable people around them. These people also won’t be welcome into health care settings where doctors provide care for vulnerable people.”

Follow @emilytoxward

Originally published as Gold Coast GPs urge residents to get Covid test even if have only one symptom, to avoid further lockdown extensions