As part of the Statewide COVID-19 (Coronavirus) testing blitz currently taking place across Victoria, Northeast Health will increase COVID-19 (Coronavirus) testing in the coming week.
CEO, Mr Tim Griffiths said, “We will be promoting greater access to the Northeast Health Wangaratta COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Screening Clinic for people with mild symptoms to get tested.
“In addition, we are encouraging asymptomatic (without symptoms) testing of health care workers, aged care workers, retail/supermarket workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, construction workers, people with chronic disease and agriculture workers”.
“The more tests that are done, the more data the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has about how wide spread COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is in our community which will help inform the potential easing of restrictions, Mr Griffiths said.
“This is very important to ensure we have the best possible picture of any spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in the community, even in people who do not feel unwell”.
“It is possible that people without symptoms (asymptomatic cases) pass on coronavirus (COVID-19) to other people without knowing it”, Mr Griffiths said.
People will need to make an appointment at the Northeast Health Wangaratta COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Screening Clinic on 1800 324 942.
Residential Aged Care Resident & Staff Testing
All staff and residents of Northeast Health Wangaratta’s Illoura Residential Aged Care will be tested in the coming week for COVID-19 (Coronavirus), even if symptoms are not present (asymptomatic).
CEO, Mr Tim Griffiths said, “The community and families may be comforted to know that we are taking this action in response to national concerns and the fact that residential aged care facilities are considered a sensitive setting in relation to Victoria’s current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response”.
“Our older Victorians, many of whom may also have co-existing illnesses, are at increased risk of serious complications if they contract coronavirus (COVID-19), hence the additional testing even if asymptomatic”, Mr Griffiths said.
Illoura residents and their families are being consulted as to the roll out of the testing, as the asymptomatic testing is voluntary’, Mr Griffiths said.
NHW COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Screening Clinic
Common symptoms of coronavirus include; fever, coughing, fatigue, sore throat or shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms or have been in contact with a confirmed case and are concerned that you may have COVID-19 (Coronavirus), call the Northeast Health Wangaratta Hotline 1800 324 942
As part of the statewide increase of COVID-19 testing, we are encouraging the following community members to be tested even if you do not have any symptoms; people with chronic disease, members of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, health care workers, aged care workers and people who work in the retail/supermarket, construction and agriculture industries.
Open 7 days a week from 8:30am – 5:30pm
Hotline 1800 324 942
For the latest information about COVID-19 visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus