Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp has joined the chorus of calls requesting further COVID-19 testing resources for the region.
The Newcastle Weekly revealed on Friday 6 August that Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery contacted NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard seeking an increase in the number of clinics in the Hunter.
This morning (7 August), four new cases – involving two women, one man and a female in her 20s – were reported in the Newcastle area, with two of them presenting themselves to John Hunter Hospital.
That now lifts the total of local people who’ve contracted the virus recently to 11.
The latest figure, as well as the rise of exposure sites in the area, has resulted in an influx of residents trying to get tested, meaning the drive-through centres are being stretched beyond their limits.
Mr Crakanthorp is urging the NSW Government to step in and organise more resources within the Hunter.
“Since positive COVID-19 sewage detections at Newcastle and Lake Macquarie treatment plants earlier in the week, testing sites have been overrun with concerned locals who want to do the right thing,” he said.
“The subsequent outbreak and growing list of venues of concern has only driven this demand.
“Unfortunately, there are many reports of people being turned away from multiple clinics and police being brought in to manage traffic.”
Mr Crakanthorp raised the issue with Mr Hazzard following the sewage detections and has continued to press the issue as recently as today, including asking for extended hours and a 24-hour testing facility.
With local health authorities and private providers run off their feet, he said the NSW Government needed to get involved and provide the help that was so desperately required.
“Hunter New England Health and other [private] providers have been doing a wonderful job and the best they can, however it is clear that they need assistance,” Mr Crakanthorp stated.
“I am now hearing from people who have been identified as contacts or have symptoms but have given up on trying to get a test, which is the last thing we want.
“The response from our community to get tested has been amazing.
“However, it has also overwhelmed our facilities.
“We want people to get tested but to enable that to happen they need to be able to access a test, and the NSW Government must step in to make this happen.”
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
COVID-19 testing clinics
- Belmont Hospital Drive-through Clinic – 16 Croudace Bay Road, Belmont. Follow signs on campus
- Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital – Screening desk located inside of front entrance, Edith and Plath Street, Waratah
- Cessnock Hospital Drive-through Clinic – 24 View Street, Cessnock
- John Hunter Hospital – Adjacent to the Emergency Department, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights
- Maitland Hospital – Health Services Unit, 560 High Street, Maitland
- Singleton Hospital Drive-through Clinic – Follow signs at main entrance, Dangar Road, Singleton
- University of Newcastle Drive-through Clinic – ICT car park, entry from University Drive, Callaghan
- McDonald Jones Stadium Laverty Pathology Clinic – McDonald Jones Stadium
- Adamstown Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 91 Victoria Street, Adamstown, enter carpark via Victoria Street. Please do not exit your car.
- Cessnock Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Cessnock Civic Indoor Sports Centre car park, 88 Mount View Road
- East Maitland 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Stockade Hill Carpark, Brisbane Street, East Maitland
- Gateshead Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Harold Knight Oval, Pacific Highway (Entry via Willow Road)
- Morisset Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 40 Ourimbah Street, Morisset
- Nelson Bay Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 20 Aquatic Close, Nelson Bay
- South Maitland Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Maitland Showground, Blomfield Street (entry via Anzac Street), South Maitland
- Wallsend 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 173 Nelson Street, Wallsend
- Warners Bay 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Central Church, 290 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
For more on COVID-19:
