The pop-up will be at the car park on the corner of Salisbury St and Bath St, behind New World, on Tuesday 1 September [2020] from 10am to 4pm.
MidCentral DHB Medical Officer of Health Dr Robert Weir encourages anyone without cold or flu-like symptoms to drop into the pop-up site to get a free test for COVID-19.
…We would like to see people, whether they have symptoms or not, coming to any of the planned pop-up sites around the region. In particular, weβd strongly encourage those who are at greater risk of poor health outcomes if they were to contract COVID-19 to get a test. This includes MΔori and Pasifika people, those aged over 65, as well as members of the community who live with a chronic illness, such as respiratory disease, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Itβs important to remember that this testing is not just for your own peace of mind, itβs also to provide your family, friends and the wider community with a sense of confidence that we remain on track in our efforts to stamp out COVID-19.β
For anyone experiencing cold or flu symptoms, testing is available at general practices throughout the MidCentral DHB region and at the Palmerston North Designated Testing Centre on Main Street, seven days a week.
βWe are asking people who are experiencing any possible symptoms of COVID-19 to call Healthline or their GP team to arrange for a test.β
COVID-19 symptoms include: coughing, high temperature (at least 38ΛC), shortness of breath, sore throat, sneezing and runny nose or temporary loss of smell.
Source: Pop-up COVID-19 testing stations in the MidCentral region Β» MidCentral District Health Board.
If you have symptoms, please do NOT go the pop-up Covid testing site where you could put others at risk. Instead, please first call Healthline or your GP practice for advice. We all need to maintain physical distancing to prevent community spread.
Usual residence: Waikawa
Thanks for reinforcing that message re symptoms Fred. I also know you have considerable expertise in this area. The advice quoted in the article is conflicting, and it was surprising to see the “whether they have symptoms or not” part. Perhaps Mid-Central DHB need to check their press releases more carefully.
Usual residence: Waikawa