Where to get tested for coronavirus in NSW and Victoria

Health departments in NSW and Victoria have listed hospitals and clinics where you can get tested for coronavirus — that’s if you meet the criteria.

Health departments across each state have listed which hospitals you can get tested for coronavirus.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said people who were not sick should not get tested for the virus because there was “no value”.

He said Australia was following the international approach of only testing people who had respiratory symptoms and had travelled recently or had been in contact with someone who had coronavirus.

The exact locations of the 100 pop-up fever clinics promised by the Morrison Government are yet to be disclosed.

In the meantime, state governments have listed which hospitals cater for tests.

Where to get tested for coronavirus ion NSW. Picture: Supplied

CALL THE HOTLINE

The free-call coronavirus hotline [phone] will advise people on the best course of action depending on their symptoms and risks.

Medical staff will direct people to the nearest hospital or respiratory clinic, or advise them to stay home and self-monitor, or contact their GP.

People who are not severely ill with COVID-19 will be directed to GPs or a network of well-resourced GP-led respiratory clinics.

Information about symptoms and other services are also available on the Federal Government’s Health Direct page.

WHERE TO GET TESTED IN EACH STATE

In NSW there are 25 hospitals you can get tested, while Melbourne has listed 13 hospitals where “you don’t need to call ahead”.

In Queensland, the Department of Health is directing anyone with concerns to 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). If they meet criteria, they will then be directed to an appropriate hospital or clinic for testing.

For those living in the ACT, the state health body is directing people to Weston Creek Walk-in Centre which is acting as its community testing facility.

A spokesperson for ACT Health told news.com.au they were in discussions with the Commonwealth regarding pop-up clinics.

SA has five clinics doing tests that are operating seven days a week.

“Novel coronavirus testing is now part of routine respiratory infection testing, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined process for GPs,” it states on its site.

There is one confirmed case of COVID-19 in the NT. This person is currently in quarantine at Royal Darwin Hospital.

The Pandemic Clinic at Royal Darwin Hospital is the main testing facility currently in operation in the NT.

“The Northern Territory public are also able to access local testing via their primary care providers for example remote clinics or regional and local GPs and clinics,” a spokesperson for the Department of Health NT told news.com.au.

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA TO BE TESTED FOR COVID-19?

Your doctor will tell you if you should be tested. They will arrange for the test based on the below criteria.

• You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness with or without fever

• You have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness with or without fever

• You have severe community-acquired pneumonia and there is no clear cause

• You are a healthcare worker who works directly with patients and you have a respiratory illness and a fever.

Your doctor will advise you if you need to be tested.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other colds and flus — fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue, difficulty breathing. Experts have said a runny nose is not a symptom of the coronavirus.

The Health department states that while coronavirus is of concern, “it is important to remember that most people displaying these symptoms are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness – not coronavirus”.

TESTING PROCESS

It involves collecting nasal or throat swabs, and sputum (mucus coughed up) and blood samples. The samples are then transferred to a laboratory that is set up to test for novel coronavirus.

After you have had samples taken, you will usually be sent home to self-quarantine while you wait for the results. This can take several days, the Department of Health Queensland explains.

If the result is positive, you will receive a call from a public health unit which will advise you what to do next. If the result is negative, you will be notified by the doctor who requested the testing.