MILDURA’S testing for COVID-19 has been thrown into chaos with the city’s only public testing site sending people home.
Sunraysia Daily understands that residents, who have waiting in their cars for hours, are being turned away at Mildura Recreation Reserve.
A second confirmed local case today comes as streets around the city centre are in gridlock, with queues running out from Eleventh Street as far south as Benetook Avenue, and from Twelfth Street out to Walnut Avenue.
SCHS asked people not already in the queue to isolate and “come back tomorrow”.
“There has been an overwhelming response to the call to get tested, however this has created a significant traffic disruption to the area which is currently being coordinated with the appropriate services,” SCHS said in a statement at 12.15pm on Monday.
“If you are not already lined up, or you are in the queue but past San Mateo Avenue, we kindly ask you to return home.
“We appreciate that this situation may have caused some inconvenience to those that have been in the queue for some time or hoping to get tested today.
“In response to concerns that there is a shortage of test kits, please be advised that this is not the case, the clinics are well equipped with an adequate stock of tests.
“If you have been directed to get tested, please isolate and come back tomorrow. The testing clinics will be open every business day until further notice.
“We are working to set up a second drive-through testing site in Mildura as soon as possible. We will keep you updated and advise when it is ready to access.
Mildura Council says it is working to set up a second drive-through testing site in Mildura as soon as possible.
“We will keep you updated and advise when it is ready to access,” a council spokesman said.
“We also remind people to only get tested if they have been directed to, if they have symptoms or have attended an Exposure Site during the specific times listed on the www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au website.”
