Community Based Testing Centres resuming – new hours, same locations

Community Based Testing Centres in Dunedin and Invercargill are resuming operations this week, ensuring convenient access to COVID-19 testing.

The drive-through testing centres supplement swabbing capacity in general practices. The centres at Parry Street West in Dunedin and WellSouth offices at 40 Clyde Street in Invercargill will re-open Wednesday, operating from 1pm to 4pm, weekdays, and 10am to 1pm, Saturday and Sunday.

The Community Based Testing Centres will provide support as long as required but for at least the next two weeks. These are not drop-in clinics, and people should call 0800 VIRUS19 to be referred.

“While general practices continue to provide the vast majority of COVID testing in the region, CBTCs are another option for swabbing, ensuring it’s convenient to get tested for as many people as possible,” says Andrew Swanson Dobbs, CEO, WellSouth. “People should continue to contact their GP first, or our 0800 VIRUS 19 call centre. Symptomatic people will be referred for testing.”

Dr Susan Jack, Southern DHB Medical Officer of Health, says the extra support will increase testing numbers and help keep Southern communities safe:  “It’s cold and flu season, so it’s really helpful that the CBTCs provide another option for testing at a time when we’re strongly encouraging people with symptoms to get tested. We appreciate that primary care is working together to make COVID-19 testing available and accessible.”

WellSouth staff are also providing pop-up testing clinics for workers at South Port in Bluff and Port Otago in Port Chalmers tomorrow.

Getting COVID-19 Testing in the South:

Dunedin Community Based Testing Centre
Parry Street West
1pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday
10am to 1pm, Weekends

Invercargill Community Based Testing Centre
WellSouth offices
40 Clyde Street, Invercargill
1pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday
10am to 1pm, Weekends 

0800 VIRUS 19 Call Centre
(0800 847 8719)
8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
9am to 1.30pm, Weekends

Who should get tested for COVID-19?

• Anyone with symptoms
• Anyone identified by public health as a contact or for another reason and asked to be tested.
• High Index of suspicion – anyone who has had contact with a confirmed or probable case.
• Border staff or workers from Managed Isolation Facilities

Ministry of Health’s latest case definition and testing guidance for COVID-19.