News

Mallee communities urged to get tested for COVID-19

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 23:38:00

CALL ahead and get tested for COVID-19, even if your symptoms are mild.

That’s the key message to local residents from Mallee Track Health and Community Service, as Victoria continues to record high numbers of COVID-19 infections.
“If you are unwell at all, call the medical clinic in Ouyen or Sea Lake and get tested for COVID-19,” MTHCS Chief Executive Officer Lois O’Callaghan said.
“You can be tested for COVID-19 at either of our medical clinics, which means you don’t have to drive to Mildura or Swan Hill to be swabbed.”
The health service is regularly testing up to 10 people a day for COVID-19 at its Ouyen clinic.
“We are doing everything we can to encourage people to be tested,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“People are able to phone our clinics to make an appointment for a test, or they can phone the clinic and one of our staff members will meet them in the car park and test them, so they don’t have to leave their car.”
Ms O’Callaghan said every person tested for COVID-19 was helping protect their families and community.
“It doesn’t matter how mild your symptoms are, you should get tested,” she said.
“Everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and getting tested when you are unwell is vitally important. Get tested and then stay at home until you have your results.”
The COVID-19 symptoms are fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell. The test is free for everyone.
“The outbreaks in Melbourne demonstrate just how highly contagious COVID-19 is, and how important testing can be to isolate this deadly virus and preventing wider spread in the community,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
Ms O’Callaghan encouraged locals to continue to be role models when it comes to good hand hygiene, social distancing and getting tested.
“Our communities have done a great job taking on the new safety measures to help limit COVID-19 infections,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“We see local businesses making sure hand sanitiser is available, reminding people to stay 1.5 metres from others, and changing the way they work to keep their staff and local community members safe. These are really important changes that make a difference.”
If you have flu-like symptoms, call ahead before arriving at a MTHCS medical clinic to be tested.
MTHCS can be contacted on 5092 1111 for further information.