A NEW two-vehicle drive-through screening clinic will open in Wangaratta tomorrow, located next to the existing vaccination clinic.
While both will be located side by side at the former Holden dealership site, the two clinics will be in separate buildings, with different entry points.
Entry to the screening clinic will be via Vincent Road, while entry to the vaccination clinic continues to be via Tone Road.
It’s a facility that Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) interim chief executive officer Fiona Shanks said will enable them to offer an expanded service and a more comfortable facility for their employees.
The screening clinic continues to see high demand, with between 90 and 140 people being tested every day since June 28.
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"Testing has been incredibly strong and we're obviously in a COVID period, and while we have no COVID in our community, our demand on testing has been really high and we haven't seen a drop for some weeks," Ms Shanks said.
The greater need for screening came off the back of the NSW outbreak and the requirement for border residents to acquire permits for travel between states.
"We're really pleased that people are getting tested and that's the only way to work through these processes and the COVID pandemic, and I encourage anyone who has symptoms to get tested," she said.
“We wanted to give the vaccination clinic a few weeks of operating from the new site before moving the screening clinic.
“Now is the right time to make the move.”
Vaccinations have been strong with 7057 vaccines administered by NHW to date, and 527 this week until close of business Wednesday.
"I encourage all of our community to make an appointment and get their vaccinations," Ms Shanks said.
"Anyone over 40 years old can currently get vaccinated or if you're in the 1A and 1B health care, aged care or front line worker categories.
The screening clinic will cease operating from its current Docker Street location at midday today, re-opening at 1pm on Saturday at the new location.
To make a booking contact the Wangaratta COVID-19 Screening Clinic on 1800 324 942.
The clinic is currently operating 7 days per week.
Phone enquiries and bookings can be made between 7.30am and 3.30pm 7 days a week - bookings are essential.
The Wangaratta Vaccination Clinic is open Monday- Friday from 9am–4pm and bookings are available by calling 1800 571 121 or online at https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/.
