New COVID-19 drive-through testing clinics to open in Tamworth and Gunnedah

Laverty Pathology has announced its rolling out the convenient coronavirus testing scheme to both towns - starting in Tamworth on Monday, and on Tuesday in Gunnedah.

It'll be Gunnedah's first drive-through clinic for the virus test, while a COVID-19 respiratory clinic operates in Tamworth, along with Douglass Hanly Moir's pathology service in Peel Street.

Hunter New England Health is into its third week of a drive-through testing blitz at Tamworth hospital, after it was extended twice due to demand.

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In the latest round of test results, to 8pm on Saturday, Tamworth remained stable at 13 coronavirus cases, while Gunnedah still has one case. A case in each town is still under investigation to find where the patient contracted the virus.

Laverty Pathology has been rolling out the testing across its state network. Anyone experiencing symptoms and in possession of a referral from their doctor will be able to use the drive-through clinic.

Negative test results can be relayed to patients via SMS.

The Tamworth centre, at 123 Marius Street, will open from 2pm until 5pm Monday to Friday. The Gunnedah centre will open on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 1pm until 3pm.

As the government urges more people to come forward after the announcement restrictions will ease, Laverty Pathology says it is the safest way to get tested.

"We are continuing to open these drive-through clinics in response to the Federal and State governments' desire for an expansion of COVID-19 testing to make it easier for more people to be tested as lockdown restrictions begin to ease and business and community activity begins to return," said Laverty General Manager Matthew Brumby.

"Anyone can come to the drive-through for collection of a swab specimen for COVID-19 testing. All people need is a pathology request form from their doctor and they will be able to use the drive-through clinic.

"This is by far the easiest, safest and most convenient way for anyone to be tested for COVID- 19."

Mr Brumby said locals wanting to get tested will need to arrive in their car with their pathology request form from their doctor, along with their Medicare card and photo ID.

"Patients must remain in their vehicles at all times while a collector in full protective equipment will perform the test," he said.

"Test results are generally provided to the referring doctor within 24 hours of the samples reaching the laboratory.

"Patients may elect to have negative results sent to them via SMS. Any patient with a positive result will be contacted directly by the GP referring them to the clinic."

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