Increase in tests leads to traffic build-up at Kirwan clinic

Increasing numbers of people being tested for COVID-19 have led to an extension of hours at the Kirwan drive-through clinic.

Increasing numbers of people being tested for COVID-19 have led to an extension of hours at the Kirwan drive-through clinic.

Traffic was however brought to a standstill on Thuringowa Dr on Monday as motorists tried to navigate through the bottleneck heading inbound to the city towards Charles St.

Hundreds of cars were backed up from Hudson St with police directing traffic throughout the day.

Vehicles line up outside the COVID-19 Testing Clinic in Kirwan, Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney

To cater for the increased demand in testing, Townsville Hospital and Health Service will extend daily operating times at Kirwan’s testing clinic to 8am-7pm, all week from Tuesday.

THHS chief executive Kieran Keyes urged people to be patient as they waited for tests.

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“We’ve seen high numbers of people tested at our Kirwan Community Health Campus drive-

through testing clinic this week and because of this I know queues have been longer than

usual,” he said.

“I am asking the community to be cooperative while they wait; our staff are working as hard

and quickly as possible.”

His directives followed reports Townsville healthcare workers were being abused at the testing clinic.

Townsville Hospital and Health Services Chief Executive Kieran Keyes.

Mr Keyes said while he understood waiting in line was frustrating, it was positive that so

many people were being tested.

“Ultimately, the advice we have been giving people is to be tested no matter how mild their

symptoms are and the level of activity at the Kirwan Health Campus is proof that people are

following that advice,” he said.

“This is instrumental in our response to COVID-19.”

Queenslanders have turned out for a record-breaking number of COVID-19 tests as the Premier warns of a $4.8bn cost to the economy if people don’t do the right thing in the week ahead.

Mr Keyes said Townsville health service was continuing to explore options for additional testing locations.

People in Townsville can be tested at COVID-19 at Townsville Respiratory Clinic, GP practices, The Strand pop-up clinic on Wednesday and at a pop-up clinic at the Rockpool on Friday.

Originally published as Increase in tests leads to traffic build-up at Kirwan clinic