Canowindra is the next location in the Western NSW Local Health District to be part of a new drive-through COVID-19 testing service, with the mobile service available today Thursday 9th July from 10.00am to 2.30pm.
“There are currently no known cases of COVID-19 in Canowindra. Canowindra is the ninth location in the southern sector to receive the service, with more than 9,033 peopled tested in the District over the past four weeks,” said Director of Public Health, Priscilla Stanley.
“We need to keep testing people, so we can stay on top of COVID-19 as the general restrictions around movement start to be decreased.”
The testing service will be set up at Morris Park today in Rodd Street, Canowindra. The service is free of charge, and you don’t need a referral or appointment to attend. “It’s a drive through service so you won’t have to leave your car. Our staff will be able to come to you, do a short assessment and get your details, and then do a swab from the back of your throat and then the back of your nose.”
“The tests are then sent away for analysis which normally takes about 48 hours. If your test is negative, you can request to get those results by text message even faster. People who are tested are asked to self-isolate until they get their results,” said Ms Stanley.
“The Canowindra Health Service continue to do testing Monday-Friday but very much welcome the Public Health Unit drive-through day today which will enable people to attend at different times and we encourage the community to get tested at this session even if you only have mild symptoms,” said Janice Rumph, Canowindra Health Service Manager.
COVID-19 testing is available for people who have experienced even mild symptoms that can be associated with the disease. Those symptoms include: fever, a sore or ‘scratchy’ throat, a cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, tiredness and muscle aches.
“The symptoms of COVID-19 can be very mild, so it’s important that we increase our testing. While most people who have COVID-19 will recover, some people can become very sick, particularly older people or people who are already ill.”