With the Australian Defence Force called to support the stricter lockdown restrictions for eight greater Sydney local government areas, the Southern Highland and Goulburn remain Covid free.
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No new Covid cases or exposure sites have been reported in the Southern Highlands or Goulburn.
However, residents are urged to not become complacent when it comes to Covid-19.
Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) which covers Goulburn recorded a total of 482 Covid-19 tests at Goulburn Base Hospital over six days between July 23 and July 29.
Covid-19 tests spiked in the Southern Highlands after two venues were added to the Covid-19 exposure list on July 23.
South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) which covers Bowral and District Hospital recorded 140 Covid-19 on Saturday, July 24 and 116 tests on July 29.
A total of 770 tests were conducted over five days.
However, Southern Highlands Division of General Practice spokesman Dr Vince Roche said testing numbers could be better and has urged residents across the Highlands and Goulburn to get tested.
"I'm wondering if people have become Covid numb," he said.
"They've heard so much about Covid-19, about tests that it feels like people are becoming numb to the message.
"It's really worrying."
Dr Roche said there could be a case of Covid-19 in the community that people don't know about.
"If nobody is testing, then nobody will know about it," he said.
"We are not immune in the Southern Highlands, we don't have a moat around us. We have people coming here for work from south west Sydney, we've got building trade coming down here too."
Dr Roche urged residents to get tested for the virus.
"Currently, there's no queue at the Bowral hospital testing centre, you can literally walk in."
"The Covid-19 test is a little uncomfortable but it's not painful. The paperwork takes about five minutes but the test itself is 30 seconds.
"You get the results 24 hours via SMS. If you get tested you need to self isolate at home until you get your results back."
Dr Roche said that Covid-19 could present itself as a common cold and even the slightest sniffle, sore throat or cough could be a sign.
"The most common symptom is a cough and any cold symptom," he said.
"It starts as a respiratory tract virus. If you do catch Covid-19, it becomes an immune problem for the whole body.
"If we all do the right thing, stay at home, get tested and follow the restrictions, we can all get out of lockdown faster."
While Dr Roche believes Covid-19 testing numbers could be improved, he said that the region had "hit its straps with vaccinations."
"We are vaccinating our little hearts out," he said.
"We've got several General Practices and the Mittagong Respiratory Clinic that offer the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines.
"Talk to your GP or respiratory clinic and get the first vaccine if you can."
Dr Roche said that anyone over 60 should get the AstraZeneca vaccine as it is safer for them.
"Older people over 60 don't need to get the Pfizer vaccine, preferring the Pfizer vaccine is not a reason to get it. There are only a few valid reasons for it for people over 60," he said.
"For younger people, it's marginally safer to get the Pfizer vaccine. The trouble is there's a real shortage of Pfizer and people may have to wait 2-3 months to get vaccinated.
"Medical experts recommend that the risk of catching Covid-19 justifies giving AstraZeneca to anyone over the age of 18.
"Residents should really seriously consider it."
Across NSW, 170 people tested positive to Covid-19 and more than 95,000 people were tested as of July 29, 8 pm.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19:
- If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away - don't delay.
- Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
- Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
- Wear a mask at indoor venues, especially if you can't physically distance
NSW Health continues to urge everyone throughout NSW, to get tested immediately if they have even the mildest of symptoms. High rates of testing are critical to detecting transmission and prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the community.
For a list of testing clinics in the Southern NSW Local Health District Area go to: https://www.snswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/our-services/infectious-disease/covid-19
There are several Covid-19 testing clinics across Goulburn.
- Goulburn Base Hospital and Health Service 130 Goldsmith St, Goulburn.Entry through the 'old' main entrance at Goulburn Base Hospital. Monday - Friday 9 am - 3 pm. Saturday and Sunday 9 am - 1 pm. Times above reflect extended hours due to increased demand.
- Goulburn drive-through Seiffert Oval, Goulburn. Monday to Friday 8 am - 5 pm. Saturday and Sunday 8 am - 1.30 pm.
- Goulburn Capital Pathology 127 Bourke Street, Goulburn. The rear of 127 Bourke Street enter via McNaught street between Vivid Smiles Dentist and RSM Accountants, follow the street around until the end. Appointments are not required. Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
There are two Covid-19 testing locations in the Southern Highlands.
- Bowral and District Hospital. Open 8:30 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. Appointments are not required. Entry is from Ascot Road.
- Mittagong Respiratory Clinic. Open 8 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. Appointments required, call 4800 9032. The clinic is located in the lower level of Mittagong Health Care Centre.
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