Central Coast coronavirus: Case numbers remain stable as more than 10,000 tested
The new COVID-19 testing clinic in Erina has tested more than 500 people in its first five days. Here’s a breakdown of who is getting tested and why.
Central Coast
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People have come in droves to the new Erina COVID-19 clinic, ranging in ages from one to 96.
The respiratory clinic opened at the EV Church on May 1 and has conducted more than 530 tests with 100 per cent of people testing negative to the virus.
The Central Coast remains on track to being COVID-19 free with the number of confirmed cases still 117. There are just two cases in isolation with all other 115 cases released from daily follow up calls.
Central Coast Local Health District confirmed the numbers which have remained stable for the past two weeks, revealing that more than 10,200 tests have now been carried out on the coast.
The Erina clinic, which is the first federally funded clinic on the coast, is being operated by Central Coast Primary Care. It is taking the pressure off medical centres and hospitals by providing the initial assessment as well as the COVID-19 swab.
Central Coast Primary Care chief executive officer Michelle Bradbury said the clinic had exceeded its capacity each day since it opened.
“From the first day, we have had positive feedback about the streamlined process. It’s a quick time frame from the moment they see administration staff to the swab itself,” she said.
“We have actually scaled appointments back to 10 minutes and the turnaround for test results is 24 hours.”
During the first five days, 61 per cent of people tested were female while the highest age group to be tested was 51 – 70. The majority of people tested are working in areas such as education, health care, aged care, disability, retail and childcare.
Ms Bradbury said people were presenting with symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, tiredness, fever and shortness of breath.
“They have mild to moderate style flu symptoms,” she said.
She said as restrictions start to be lifted, it was important that people with symptoms get tested before visiting family or returning to work.
“We are encouraging everyone to book online,” she said.
“We have had a lot of walk-ins which is time consuming and while we won’t turn anyone away, we’d rather people book.”
The free clinic is at the rear of the EV Church, 331 Terrigal Drive, Erina, and is open seven days a week from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Book at www.ccpc.com.au or call 0435 813 865.