Respiratory clinics open in Burnie and Latrobe as coronavirus spreads

More respiratory clinics have been opened to deal with suspected coronavirus cases in the state’s North-West.

RESPIRATORY clinics have been opened at two North-West hospitals as the state ramps up its efforts to control the spread of coronavirus.

The State Government announced this morning that clinics will open at the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie today and at the Mersey Community Hospital in Latrobe tomorrow.

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“These additions mean we now have clinics in our four major population centres to meet increased demand for testing,” Health Minister Sarah Courtney said.

The North West Regional Hospital at Burnie

The opening of the third and fourth clinics in Tasmania comes as the state recorded its third confirmed case of the virus – two in Hobart and one in Launceston.

Ms Courtney said it was important to note the risk to the Tasmanian community from casual contact with a confirmed case remained low.

Both clinics will be nurse led, with referrals and advice from Public Health, and operate from 10am-6pm seven days a week.

Signage will ensure patients requiring coronavirus assessment are guided to the respiratory clinic.

Respiratory clinics provide a safe clinical assessment environment to minimise the transmission of COVID-19 to other health care settings, such as general practice, hospital emergency departments and outpatient clinics.

The clinics will be not open for walk-up testing, and anyone who thinks they may need testing should first contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.

Following this assessment you may be directed to attend the clinic for testing.