Record numbers of people are being tested for Coronavirus in Bathurst, with the hospital's COVID-19 clinic doing over 430 tests last week.
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The latest figures, released on Monday, are almost double those for June, with health experts pleased people are following advice and being tested, even if their symptoms are mild.
With demand for testing increasing, General Manager of Bathurst Base Hospital, Cathy Marshall, reminded the community the clinic is open seven days a week from 9am until 4.30pm daily.
A second clinic is operating out of Ochre Health, based at Charles Sturt University.
Ms Marshall said staff have noticed a high demand at the clinic right on 9am and urged people to try and space out their attendance throughout the day.
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"We're finding pretty much everyone is turning up right at 9am; it's definitely a peak time so we are asking people if they are flexible with their timing to come a little later in the day to save waiting in line outside.
Ms Marshall said the hospital had opened up a second room for people to wait in but social distancing requirements meant only 10 people can wait inside at a time.
Ms Marshall said those lining up outside have been vigilant with social distancing and other requirements, but she hoped reminding people the clinic runs until 4.30pm may take the pressure off peak times and save people lining up.
"The weather is only going to get worse," she said.
"So if people don't have to come right on 9am we're asking them to come in a little later in the day," she said, adding the test itself only takes a matter of minutes.
"The longest part is filling out the form, but if we can space out people's visits it will save them waiting outside."
Ms Marshall thanked everyone who had come forward for doing so, and encouraged anyone displaying even mild symptoms to be tested.
"The last thing we want is people putting off getting tested... people have been brilliant .
"Across Western NSW almost 11000 people have been tested since testing began earlier this year."
Last week in Bathurst over 436 people were tested in the fever clinic, by comparison in June an average of 280 a week were tested. "It's fantastic, thank you all for coming forward," she said.
Ms Marshall urged anyone who had been in Batemans Bay between July 13 and 17 or Sydney hot spots to get tested and of course anyone with cold or flu like symptoms.
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