The state government has opened a COVID-19 testing clinic at the South Coast District Hospital in Victor Harbor in response to concern about the spread of the coronavirus.

Member for Finniss David Basham says the Government’s plan to help prepare and protect South Australians encompassed everyone, including regional communities, where a series of clinics will open over the next few days.

“Our community will welcome this local clinic as part of the state-wide effort to contain and help stop the spread of the coronavirus and safeguard the health of all South Australians,” Mr Basham says.

“The clinic is located at the health site at the South Coast District Hospital, next to the Flinders University building on Bay Road; visitors are asked to park in the carpark off Bay Road. It will be open seven days a week from 9am-5pm, but will close between 12pm and 1pm.

“COVID-19 clinics are specifically designed for people who have symptoms, especially fever or cough, and have recently returned from overseas or have had contact with a known COVID-19 case.

“I thank Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade for responding swiftly to the needs of regional South Australians as part of the Government’s plan. I’m also very grateful for the sensible advice offered by the south coast’s medical community.

“Our community is understandably very concerned as this global pandemic continues to develop. Our best response is to stay informed and up-to-date with trusted official sources, follow the expert advice on how to protect our health and that of others, heed the bans on gatherings and look after the members of our community who need us.

“Our community has not escaped shortages of basic necessities caused by panic-buying in response to the coronavirus. Hoarding is completely unnecessary and it’s harming some of the most vulnerable people in our community. It has to stop.”

Mr Basham says it is extremely important that the community follow advice from trusted official sources:

• SA Health for local updates and information – sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019
• Australian Government Department of Health for national updates – health.gov.au
• Smartraveller for the latest travel advice – smartraveller.gov.au
• healthdirect to check symptoms – healthdirect.gov.au
• Coronavirus Health Information line – 1800 020 080

“The Government is not sitting idle,” he says. “We’re acting to minimise and slow the spread of the coronavirus in South Australia, including swiftly declaring a Public Health Emergency enabling us to implement all nationally agreed initiatives to deal with this pandemic.

“It’s urgent that our community continue to comply with public health advice and directions; this gives us the best chance of limiting and slowing the spread of the coronavirus.”