Testing Van: One of the mobile units available for testing for the Covid-19 coronavirus. These are not walk-in centres.Picture by Paul Rickard
Testing Van: One of the mobile units available for testing for the Covid-19 coronavirus. These are not walk-in centres.Picture by Paul Rickard
Swab centres have been set up throughout the district in response to the threat of coronavirus in this region.
The centres have 100 test kits available and further training on the effective use of personal protective equipment is under way.
These are not walk-in centres and referrals are required fora swab.
“People will need to meet the criteria for testing and be referred by the national coronavirus healthline or by their GP,” says Hauora Tairawhiti chief medical officer Anne Kolbe.
Testing criteria include fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or coughing; a return from overseas in the past 14 days, or close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus.
Anyone who thinks they meet that criteria should call Healthline 0800 358 5453 for advice 24/7 or their GP.
People are strongly urged not to walk into a medical centre or Gisborne Hospital without calling first.
One of Hauora Tairawhiti's mobile dental clinics has been turned into a mobile swabbing centre and is based in the Three Rivers medical centre carpark. Another centre is based at Te Puia Hospital and in Te Karaka a swab centre has been set up next to the Waikohu Medical Centre.
