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Central Coast coronavirus: Second case confirmed as COVID-19 testing clinics open

A woman in her 40s has become the second confirmed case of coronavirus on the Central Coast. It comes as testing clinics open in Gosford and Wyong this week.

A second person has tested positive for coronavirus on the Central Coast. Picture: David Crosling
A second person has tested positive for coronavirus on the Central Coast. Picture: David Crosling

A woman in her 40s who had recently returned from overseas is the second confirmed case of COVID-19 on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has confirmed the second case this morning, three days after the first case — a woman in her 30s — was confirmed on Friday.

“She is in home isolation and is doing well and her close contacts are also in home isolation,” a CCLHD spokeswoman told the Express.

“The Public Health Unit is conducting daily wellness checks.”

It comes as a testing clinic for COVID-19 has opened at Gosford Hospital today, with another expected to open at Wyong Hospital tomorrow (March 17). Both clinics will be open seven days a week from 9am-5pm on weekdays and 10am-4pm on weekends.

A testing clinic for coronavirus has opened at Gosford Hospital. Picture: Sue Graham
A testing clinic for coronavirus has opened at Gosford Hospital. Picture: Sue Graham

The CCLHD is advising people who have developed cold and/or flu-like symptoms who have returned from overseas in the last 14 days or are a contact of a confirmed case, to be tested for COVID-19. They are advised to contact their GP or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice in the first instance.

People who have returned from China, Iran, Italy or South Korea, or have had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 but are well, should self-isolate at home for 14 days and seek treatment only if they develop symptoms.

People are urged to clean hands thoroughly during the day.
People are urged to clean hands thoroughly during the day.

“Should people wish to attend our Gosford or Wyong clinics they need to call ahead to book an appointment,” the spokeswoman said.

“Anyone who attends the clinic without a booking may be asked to wait, or may be instructed to go home and return for an appointment. This is to minimise waiting times and the risk of infection to others.”

The Gosford Hospital COVID-19 clinic, located at 75 Holden Street, is adjacent to the P2 carpark. The Wyong Hospital clinic is located at Building C, opposite the Health Services Building.

The Gosford clinic can be contacted from 9am today on 4320 5055.

PREVENTION TIPS

The CCLHD is urging everyone to prevent the spread of the virus by:

■ Staying home and away from other people if you are unwell with respiratory symptoms

■ Follow sneezing and coughing etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow or coughing into a tissue and disposing of it

■ Clean your hand regularly throughout the day with soap and running water for 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand rub

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/central-coast-coronavirus-second-case-confirmed-as-testing-clinics-open/news-story/b1f985926959c0a9be507e63b5361781