Community Based Testing Centres not opening on Monday

With enough capacity in general practice to manage demand for COVID-19 testing in the Southern region, Community Based Test Centres are not reopening in Dunedin and Invercargill tomorrow. They can be operational in a matter of hours if additional testing support is needed.

“There is capacity in general practice in the region to manage expected demand for swabbing, so the testing clinics are not necessary at this point,” says WellSouth CEO Andrew Swanson-Dobbs.

“We opened the Community Based Testing Centres in response to a sharp increase in demand. That demand has levelled off at this point, but we’re prepared to reopen again quickly if  asked to do so.

“Our advice to people in the region needing testing continues to be contact your GP first or our 0800 VIRUS 19 call centre. Symptomatic people will be referred  for testing.”

Testing for COVID-19 is free of charge for people meeting the case definition.

The Dunedin drive through CBCT did 211 swabs this weekend - 106 on Saturday and 105 on Sunday.  In Invercargill, there were a total of 60 tests done at the drive-through CBCT - 25 on Saturday and 35 on Sunday.

“We thank the public for their support and for helping to keep one another safe by getting tested and staying home until you free of any cold or flu symptoms,” Mr Swanson-Dobbs says.