COVID-19 testing at Sunraysia Community Health Centre has dropped to a fraction of the number seen just a couple of months ago.
More than 2000 people were tested at the centre’s GP respiratory clinic and pop-up clinic behind Target in July, while a further 1097 people came forward for examination in August.
However, that number dropped to just 422 tests last month forcing the centre to put the pop-up clinic “on hold” indefinitely.
SCHS clinic program manager Shelley Faulks said the number of people attending the pop-up clinic alone had reduced from 759 in August to just 192 last month before it ceased operations about two weeks ago.
Ms Faulks said she hoped that community compliance with government restrictions — including social distancing and the wearing of masks — was behind the drop in the number of residents getting tested.
“The testing numbers would be a concern if people have symptoms and are not coming in to get tested,” Ms Faulks said.
“We can’t become complacent because we haven’t had any cases here for some time,” she said.
“It’s just that we’re not aware that we have any cases and if we don’t continue to get tested we’re not going to get a good snapshot of what’s happening in our community.
“We would encourage people who do have symptoms, no matter how mild, to stay home and get tested.”
Ms Faulks said SCHS was also now beginning to see seasonal asthma and hay fever arriving across the region.
“If those symptoms are any different to what you would normally experience at this time of year, sufferers should also consider coming in to get a test,” she said.
“If your symptoms are even slightly different to what you are used to, come and have a test.
“In order for us to safely work through the stages of our roadmap to COVID normal, we must continue to have a really good picture of what’s happening in our community as far as whether the virus is here or not.”
Ms Faulks said SCHS would continue to monitor the situation in Sunraysia and respond accordingly.
“Sunraysia Community Health Services will respond to demand in our community as it arises which could include reopening the drive through clinic if it is needed,” she said.
“We’ll also respond to any asymptomatic testing blitzes that the government may require.
“At the moment we are adequately able to manage everybody’s testing requirements through our afternoon clinics which run each day with a GP present.”
Ms Faulks encouraged anyone who has already been tested but who develop CIVID-19 symptoms to get re-tested.
“We don’t want people assuming that the cold that they had last year is going to be the same cold that they have this year,” she said.
“Everyone is a bit fatigued with it — it has gone on so long — but we just can’t become complacent about it.”
People with symptoms should call the SCHS hotline on 5021 7653 to organise an appointment.
