COVID-19, St Marys: Astley Medical Centre receptionist tests positive for coronavirus
A receptionist at a medical centre in the Penrith LGA has tested positive for COVID-19. Now local MPs are urging anyone with symptoms to get tested.
Penrith
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Londonderry state Labor MP Prue Car is urging anyone with symptoms to get themselves tested for COVID-19 after a positive case was linked to a western Sydney medical centre.
The Astley Medical Centre in St Marys posted a notice on its front door advising that a member of staff had tested positive to COVID-19 after dining at a restaurant in Parramatta.
The receptionist had worked on Wednesday, July 15, between 8am and 2pm.
Ms Car said she had been advised all close contacts were in isolation.
“Patients that were in the centre on Wednesday until 2pm are considered casual contacts, they do not need to self-isolate nor be tested for COVID-19 unless they have viral symptoms,” she said.
“The patients who attended on Wednesday morning are being contacted personally to inform them of this.
“The centre has gone through all necessary cleaning as directed by NSW Health, and the staff members who are needing to isolate for 14 days are doing so.”
Emily Townsend, a staff member at the medical centre, said the receptionist was a casual worker.
“She obtained a test because she attended that particular restaurant even though she had no symptoms at all,” she said.
“All staff, including doctors, nurses, pathology collectors and radiographers that needed to be tested have returned a negative result.”
Lindsay federal Liberal MP Melissa McIntosh said drive-in clinics were the best way to get tested.
“People have been in contact with me about whether testing is still available at Nepean Hospital,” she said.
“I’ve spoken with NSW Health, and Nepean is still open for limited walk-in testing on weekdays, but there’s a strong preference for people to use a drive-through clinic where you can stay in your car.
“If a drive-through clinic is not an option for you, NSW Health has advised you can still go to Nepean.
“Please get tested if you are showing any symptoms and follow the rules about self-isolation after testing.”
There are drive-through testing clinics at the Penrith Paceway and the Sydney International Regatta Centre open seven days a week.