Coronavirus: Southwest Sydney rolls out specialised clinics as cases rise
The number of people testing positive to the highly contagious coronavirus has jumped to 88 as authorities set up specialist clinics to handle the demand.
The Express
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Health authorities have opened specialised clinics across Sydney’s south west to cope with the growing number of people testing positive to coronavirus.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the South Western Sydney Local Health District was at 88 at 8pm on Wednesday, more than double Sunday’s figures of 21-40.
The latest breakdown of cases by local government area has 41 people with COVID-19 in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA, Campbelltown has 12 people, Camden has 15, Liverpool has 17, and Fairfield has 6 people with caronavirus.
To cope with the pandemic, the South Western Sydney Local Health District has opened specialised clinics in Bankstown-Lidcombe, Bowral and District Hospital, Campbelltown, Fairfield and Liverpool Hospitals to assess and diagnose patients with possible coronavirus infections.
South Western Sydney Local Health District covers nearly a million residents, from Bankstown to Bowral.
To date 1.14 per cent of those screened in southwest Sydney - 7695 - have tested positive for the virus which has killed thousands across the world.
A spokeswoman for SWSLHD said they also continuing to trace and respond to cases as they are diagnosed in a bid to slow any spread in the community.
“We would like to assure our patients and the community we are doing everything
possible to protect everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the spokeswoman said.
“NSW is upscaling its level of preparedness for COVID-19, with moves underway to
double intensive care capacity across the state.”
“(We) have extensive plans in place to expand the capacity of our health services to meet increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We encourage the community to remember everyone has an important role to play in
preventing the spread of COVID-19 by practising social distancing, hand hygiene,
self-isolating if unwell or under quarantine and following the recently announced lock-
down requirements.”
The clinics are open from 10am to 5.30pm, seven days a week.
NSW Health COVID-19/flu assessment clinics are open across the state but are for those most at risk with respiratory symptoms or fever, those returning from overseas or in contact with a COVID-19 case, or health workers. People without symptoms do not need to be tested.
● The main messages for residents is to clean hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
● Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow
● Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
● Stay home if you are sick
● Keep your distance from others as much as possible by social distancing.