PENINSULA Health has now administered more than a quarter of a million coronavirus tests.
The 250,000th swab was taken at the Frankston Hospital testing site on 2 September. The job of frontline testing staff has never been more vital, as Victoria battles the Delta variant of COVID-19.
COVID-19 screening clinics operations director Jodi Foley has praised the community for coming forward to get tested across Peninsula Health’s permanent and pop-up locations in the last 18 months. “We are so proud of the efforts from everyone in Frankston and right across the peninsula, who simply continue to come forward for a test,” she said.
“Our capacity has significantly increased since we started this work just over a year and a half ago, with the scaling up of our equipment and workforce now able to take up to 2,000 coronavirus tests a day. Thanks to our partnerships with Dorevitch private pathology labs we are regularly able to turn around these swab test results in less than 24 hours.”
With the latest COVID-19 outbreak still growing, Peninsula Health says it is vital to continue to be vigilant and get tested when symptoms arise. The organisation’s executive director of operations, Helen Cooper, said “we know COVID-19 is moving throughout metropolitan Melbourne and parts of regional Victoria through community transmission – but we only know of these locally acquired infections through ongoing testing.”
“Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula has enjoyed some of the highest testing rates in the state, and it’s all thanks to the magnificent work of Jodi and the team to provide our community with the ability to get a test locally and quickly,” she said. “As we emerge from winter and the grass pollen season less than a month away, it’s never been more important to get a test, no matter how mild your symptoms may be. Be aware of the most common coronavirus symptoms, including fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell.”
To see a list of testing sites check peninsulahealth.org.au/covid19screeningclinics
View up to date exposure sites at coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites
