Local testing clinics to call it a day

COVID

Michael Warren

Editor

Email Michael
Last updated:
Local COVID testing clinics will be closed by mid next month.

The local testing clinics that played a vital role in the fight against COVID for Mossman, Port Douglas and other local residents will close their doors in the coming weeks.

The clinic at Mossman Hospital as well as those at Tully, Innisfail, Atherton and Mareeba will each finish their services on Friday, July 17 in the knowledge that they helped thousands of local residents get tested during the height of the war against COVID.

The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service main testing clinic at Portsmith will also close mid next month.

“When we opened our first fever clinic at Cairns Hospital in March 2020, shortly after we had our first case of COVID-19, we had no idea how long we would need to keep these clinics open,” CHHHS Executive Director COVID-19 Response, Dr Donna Goodman explained.

“But, more than two years later, Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) is now the primary form of testing.

“More than 94 per cent of Far North Queenslanders are fully vaccinated, and the virus is widespread – we are effectively living with COVID-19.

“COVID-19 testing is still required for some people; however, we are at the stage of the pandemic at which we can – and should – direct our health resources to where they are needed.

A CHHHS staffer is thankful for locals doing the right thing.

“As of yesterday, we have tested more than 235,000 people at our fever clinics,” CHHHS Health Incident Controller Rudi De Faveri revealed.

“Each of these people did a great service to others in their communities by reducing the spread of the virus.

“The fact that we are able to be at a point now where we don’t need these clinics is a tribute to everyone who has had a hand in protecting our region from COVID-19, especially our staff who have faced immense challenges, often working in stressful conditions.”


Thank you!

Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.



Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.


* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.