CHANGES TO COVID-19 TESTING BEGA VALLEY

Southern NSW Local Health District will make operational changes to its testing clinics from Monday 25 October 2021 to meet the current demand in the District.

While no new COVID cases have been recorded in the District since 21^st October 2021, we continue to urge the community to come forward for testing if experiencing symptoms.

A full list of SNSWLHD’s clinic sites and hours is available on our website: https://www.snswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/our-services/infectious-disease/covid-19

The COVID-19 testing clinic at Pambula Hospital will close from Monday 25 October 2021. This will allow for our healthcare workers to focus on hospital and community-based care.

The COVID-19 testing clinic at South East Regional Hospital has now closed, but any urgently required COVID-19 testing is available at the Hospital by appointment only

COVID-19 Testing will continue at the Old Bega Racecourse, Bega. The drive through clinic at the Old Bega Racecourse will also be open Monday to Fridays 8am – 2pm and weekends 9am - 2pm. No bookings are required.

This location allows for better traffic flow as well as easier access for both the community awaiting testing and staff running the clinic.

To access the testing clinic, vehicles need to enter from Auckland Street, turn right onto Jacksonia Grove moving towards the corner of East Street. Traffic control will be in place.

Should there be an escalation of cases, pop up clinics will be put in place.

It is important for community members to be alert for any symptoms that could signal COVID‑19, including headache, nausea, sore throat, runny nose, cough, loss of smell or taste, or fever. If symptoms appear, people must isolate and get tested immediately, and remain isolated until a negative result is received.

There are more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW.

We urge everyone 12 years and older to please also come forward for vaccination as soon as possible. Bookings are available at NSW Health’s vaccination clinics as well as GPs and pharmacies.

To book please visit the Vaccine Clinic Finder: https://covidvaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility

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 indoors and while waiting for or travelling on public transport.

For up-to-date statistics NSW Health