Mid North Coast Local Health District plans to establish COVID-19 clinic in Kempsey

No date has been set for the opening of the local clinic, but Macleay residents are able to be screened in Port Macquarie if they are showing symptoms.

The clinics are being established to screen people with risk factors for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

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Chief executive Mid North Coast Local Health District Stewart Dowrick said the clinics are part of the ongoing response to the virus.

"The Mid North Coast Local Health District is working in collaboration with private hospitals, the North Coast Primary Health Network, Aboriginal Medical Services and local councils to respond to the COVID-19 situation," he said.

"The District has opened a COVID-19 assessment clinic at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and is expected to open another at Coffs Harbour Health Campus early next week."

The clinics are for people in the community most at risk with respiratory symptoms or fever, people who have returned from overseas or who have come in contact with a COVID-19 case. People without symptoms do not need to be tested.

"It is vital that the respiratory clinics are not overwhelmed with people who are not in the high risk groups, which could result in delays identifying those most vulnerable," Mr Dowrick said.

The Port Macquarie clinic is open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays. Patients are asked to present to the emergency department where they will be assessed and directed to the clinic as required. Macleay residents are able to be screened in Port Macquarie while the Kempsey clinic is being established.

Visit the NSW Health website for more information.

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