COVID-19 can now be tested at a Flu Assessment Clinic set up at Bowral and District Hospital.
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Meanwhile, the number of positive cases in the Southern Highlands remains at seven as of March 25.
A spokesman for the Southern Highlands Division of Public Health Dr Vince Roche said the clinic would operate out of the Outpatients Clinic with access off Ascot Road, Bowral.
He said it is located behind the hospital - easy to find as many hi-viz traffic cones and traffic officers are in place.
"We would like as many people as possible to be screened/triaged by their GP Clinic - preferably by Telehealth Consultations - as we do not want the service overrun by the worried well," he said.
"Essentially the Flu Assessment Clinic should end the need for GP Clinics to do any swabbing at this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"If the GP determines (from the Telehealth consultation) that the patient needs to be tested, the patient should be told to call 4861 0145 before attending the clinic to allow staff to complete screening over the phone and ensure only clients who meet screening criteria present.
"People do not require a referral from their GP to attend the BDH Flu Assessment Clinic, but they prefer GP Clinics do the first line of triage."
The clinic will run from 10am to 5.30pm, 7 days per week. The direct phone number for the flu clinic is 4861 0145 and enquiries will be answered during hours of operation only.
Dr Roche said he was pleased to say that the numbers of diagnosed cases in the Southern Highlands had not changed for two days.
"We have seven diagnosed cases, and all have been well enough to be treated at home," he said.
"Currently they are being followed up daily by a hospital staff specialist.
"There have been no cases transferred to other facilities."
Dr Roche said that seven cases of infection had been acquired prior to travel to Australia or on a cruise ship.
"However, over the next week or two we expect to move into the next phase of transmission - community transmission - where infected people will not know where they have caught the virus and it will be difficult to know who we should test," he said.
Dr Roche said the Bowral and District Hospital had postponed all Category 3 surgery ("OK to wait for three to 12 months) and all non-urgent Category 2 surgery to free up facilities.
He said Southern Highlands Private Hospital also announced today (March 25) that all non-urgent elective surgery had been cancelled.
"Extensive planning is well underway for services as the epidemic develops," he said.
"Discussions are being held regarding roles for both the Public and the Private Hospital as the severity of the epidemic develops."
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