News

New COVID-19 testing blitz in Mallee

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 07:31:00

A new COVID-19 testing blitz is underway this week, focusing on commercial passenger vehicle drivers and food delivery drivers.

The Mallee Track Health and Community Service is supporting the state-wide push to continue testing for COVID-19 to limit the spread of the highly contagious virus.
“We are encouraging everyone who drives a bus or delivers take-away food, groceries, or Meals on Wheels to be tested to help keep our communities safe,” Mallee Track Health and Community Service Chief Executive Officer Lois O’Callaghan said.
“As part of this blitz, you do not have to have COVID-19 symptoms to be tested.”
The commercial passenger vehicle industry and food delivery sector are among several sectors being targeted by Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
If commercial passenger vehicle drivers and food delivery drivers do not have any of the COVID-19 symptoms, they will not have to stay home to wait for their test results.
“Testing will be available at both our Ouyen and Sea Lake campuses and we are keen to see as many passenger vehicle and food delivery drivers tested as possible,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“We are asking people phone the medical centre before they arrive, and that when they are tested, to tell staff at the testing centre that they work in the commercial passenger vehicle industry or food delivery sector.”
While the testing blitz focuses on those working in the sector who do not have COVID-19 symptoms, testing remains available to community members with COVID-19 symptoms.
“The COVID-19 restrictions on our movement around the community are easing, and we are moving into warmer weather, but it remains important to be tested for COVID-19 to support the broader effort of keeping us open.  Understanding the spread of COVID-19 in a range of sectors gives confidence to make further decisions about next steps,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“There are changing risks due to the opening up and as people start to move around.”
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.
Community members are asked to phone their local medical centre before arriving to be tested and to be tested early in the day, to ensure swabs can be sent to pathology laboratories for analysis as soon as possible.
MTHCS can be contacted on 5092 1111 for further information.

Pictured is MTHCS PAG worker Cindy Nunn who is currently providing local transports for consumers. As a driver of a passenger vehicle, Cindy will be supporting the latest COVID-19 testing blitz this week!