Located at Cobram Hospital, the community testing clinic has been operational since late June and has seen about 250 people line up to get tested in the first weeks of operation.
NCN Health chief executive Jacque Phillips has stressed the importance of upholding a vigilant stance against coronavirus, urging anybody feeling symptomatic to book in for a test.
“It has been running for the past three weeks, and we have been getting good numbers through the clinic every day,” she said.
“We have put a whole lot of measures in place; from a community perspective we have been conducting a testing blitz which has seen a greater uptake from the public.
“This is the second stage of our plan, and we encourage anyone who feels even the mildest of symptoms — however mild — of COVID-19 including fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or runny nose (to be tested).
“Testing is really important for the community as a protective measure, and we want to ensure there is no complacency. By working together, we lower the risk of community transmission.”
Last Wednesday morning Barooga residents had the chance to get screened locally, with 14 people passing through a mobile clinic in town to get tested.
However, with mobile clinics not a regular fixture in Barooga, Mrs Phillips advised its residents who felt the need to get swabbed to book in at Cobram.
“Our testing clinic is available daily. We encourage those who have symptoms to come across and get tested,” she said.
After being tested at the clinic last week, Moira Shire Mayor Libro Mustica praised the staff in Cobram for their efforts.
“I would like to thank the nurses, doctors, cleaners and medical staff for their dedication. You are all doing an amazing job and we are proud of you all.
“The test is free, takes around five minutes and involves a swab from the back of your throat and nose,” he said.
“It only took a couple of minutes and the nurses were reassuring and extremely professional.”
Open Monday to Friday from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm on the corner of Broadway and Charles Sts, bookings can be made by calling 5871 0777 and selecting option six.
Visitors will need at least one form of identification, and should return home and remain in self-isolation after the test until results are received.