260 people tested for COVID-19 using drive-through clinic

Aug 4, 2020

KYABRAM District Health Service has announced that 260 people were tested at its drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic in its first week of operation.

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The clinic, which runs from 9am to 11am, seven days a week, has replaced KDHS’s original appointment-based clinic, which was implemented in early May.

KDHS interim director of clinical services Susan Ryan said the numbers were triple what they recorded using their previous method.

“People could just jump in their cars and drive down if they were feeling unwell — they didn’t have to wait outside, didn’t have to make an appointment and the whole process was quicker as well,” she said.

Ms Ryan said regional Victoria being moved to stage three restrictions had not affected the operation of the clinic.

“If there’s a need to increase testing hours, we will do that … and it will continue for as long as there is a need for it,” she said.

“It’s still only for people who have symptoms, but no matter how mild, we would encourage people to come and get tested.”

Those experiencing a fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, chills or sweats, shortness of breath or loss of sense of smell or taste are encouraged to get tested.

Tested residents must return home immediately and self-isolate until they receive their results.