Southern Highlands doctor warns it is time for a 'reality check' on COVID-19

With only one recognised case in our population of more than 45,000, the local media, social media and general rumour mill are starting to settle - as are the lines at the testing clinics.

It is good that the panic is settling, but we need to remember that the risk has not passed.

Local doctors would like us all to do a reality check.

We have previously had 25 cases in the Wingecarribee - in March and April - and we did not let that spread.

So please don't panic. Just do the right thing!

READ MORE:

There are likely to be a few more cases but probably not a lot.

So what should we do? Simple really! We showed that we could do it in March and April.

It is good that the panic is settling - but we need to remember that the risk has not passed.

For the general population, our advice is:

If you have any symptoms - (fever, dry cough, unexplained tiredness, aches and pains, diarrhoea, sore throat, conjunctivitis, gut symptoms, a loss of taste or smell), please get tested at the Bowral Hospital Flu Assessment Clinic or the General Practice Respiratory Clinic at Mittagong. Be aware there may be a significant wait.

If you worked at Woolies Bowral - contact your work administration and to get advice as to what to do. In the meantime please take all distancing precautions and try and keep out of circulation.

If you have shopped at Woolies Bowral between midday and 9pm on July 11 or between midday and 9pm July 12 and have no symptoms - please DO NOT PRESENT FOR TESTING as this will cause gridlock in the system. Please stay home if you can - if not, minimise interactions with other people and do safe Covid practice. This is relatively unlikely to be a hot spot as there Is a quite limited transmission risk.

If you were at the Crossroads Hotel or the Gaming Room at Picton Hotel or Planet Fitness Casula between July 3 and July 10, or at any of the other recognised hot spots - please get tested and minimise your contact with others until results are available.

There were significant delays at the Bowral and Mittagong testing clinics over the last couple of days.

There is now more staffing and extended hours. Please do not clog up the system by getting tested if you have no symptoms or no contacts as above.

Who can stop the spread? Each of us.

We have learnt the huge financial and personal effect of managing a major outbreak.

If the pandemic resumes in NSW, we will likely have to close down various areas and regions, or even the whole state, for periods of time - at even more cost.

Surely we can see the wisdom in resuming physical distancing and Covid consciousness - more than just our health is at stake.

We are concerned about the jobs and dollars, and let down our guard by forgetting to do the major strategy that has greatly reduced our first wave in Australia - social distancing.

Experts believe that we can allow people out of their houses back to shops, schools and sport, but that will be lethal if we don't physically distance ourselves.

Just remember - a metre and a half from everyone else and plenty of hand hygiene.

And ANY symptoms (fever, dry cough, unexplained tiredness , aches and pains, diarrhoea, sore throat, conjunctivitis, gut symptoms, a loss of taste or smell) should result in a Covid-19 test at one of our three testing site (Bowral and Mittagong).

There is increasing evidence that wearing masks can reduce the transition of the virus indoors, when not at home, and especially where physical distancing is difficult.

If you are in a shop, bar, coffee shop or restaurant where physical distancing is not happening - speak up, as the standard you walk past is the standard you accept - or leave the place.

The economic and social recovery is not worth dying for. And when you are in a bar/restaurant or coffee shop please fill in the log to register your presence.

The Bowral Hospital Flu Assessment Clinic - continues to operate seven days a week out of the hospital's outpatient department.

This is planned to continue for several more months.

Hours of Business:

People do not require a referral from their GP to attend the BDH Flu Assessment Clinic.

The direct phone number for the flu clinic is 4861 0145 and enquiries will be answered during hours of operation only.

If you have any respiratory symptoms - even if you think it is just a cold - please get tested.

You need to call the Clinic on 4861 0145 to organise your time to come to the clinic. Results are available about 24-48 hours after testing.

The Commonwealth-funded General Practice Respiratory Clinic - located in the lower level of Mittagong HealthCare Centre, 58 Bowral Road, Mittagong.

It is open 9am to 5pm seven days a week.

The clinics are designed to assess patients with mild-to-moderate respiratory symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, tiredness and shortness of breath.

Regardless of whether COVID-19 testing is indicated, or a specimen is taken, the patient will receive clinical guidance about managing their respiratory symptoms through the clinic.

Patients must have an appointment before attending the clinic.

Patients can make an appointment online via HotDoc and there will be no charge to the patient.

To set up an appointment, patients can also phone the clinic directly for triage, call HealthDirect or be referred by their GP.

Referring GPs will receive a copy of the pathology results. Results are available about 24-48 hours after testing.

Remember - any symptoms - get you or your children tested!

We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we need to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe.