Health district says 88 locals have tested positive to coronavirus

Five Covid-19 clinics have been established in the South Western Sydney Local Health District which has so far recorded 88 cases of the virus.

Twelve of those people who tested positive are from Campbelltown, 17 in Liverpool, 15 in Camden, 13 in the Southern Highlands, four in Wollondilly, six in Fairfield and 41 in Canterbury-Bankstown.

Moving to assure the community it serves, from Fairfield to Bowral, a spokesperson said the District were doing “everything possible to protect everyone during the Covid-19 pandemic’’.

“The District has extensive plans in place to expand the capacity of our health services to meet increased demand during the Covid-19 pandemic,’’ the spokesperson said.

The five Covid-19  clinics are open between 10am and 5.30pm, seven days a week, in the following locations:

• Campbelltown Hospital, Parkside Drive;

• Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, 150 metres from the Emergency Department entrance;

• Bowral & District Hospital, Ascot Street, in the outpatients’ clinic.

• Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, Eldridge Road, in the Allied Health Outpatient Building, 25 metres to the right of the hospital’s front entrance;

• Fairfield Hospital, Prairie Vale Road, opposite the Emergency Department entrance 

People with a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath who have either been overseas in the past 14 days or been in close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 can be tested at the clinic. They do not have to make an appointment.

Current government advice is that people without symptoms do not need to be tested.

People who do not fit the criteria for testing should contact their GP for advice. 

“We are continuing to trace and respond to cases as they are diagnosed to slow any spread in the community,’’ the District spokesperson said.

“We encourage the community to remember everyone has an important role to play in preventing the spread of Covid-19 by practising social distancing, hand hygiene, self-isolating if unwell or under quarantine and following the recently announced lockdown requirements.

“This year’s flu vaccine is expected to be available by mid-April and we are encouraging people who can be vaccinated against the flu to do so.  

“While the flu vaccine won’t combat Covid-19, it will help to reduce the severity and spread of the flu which can lower a person’s immunity and make them susceptible to other illnesses.’’

For information and updates on Covid-19 see the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au.