Coronavirus Clinic opens on Hawkesbury Hospital grounds

NSW Health are contacting people who have had close contact with the confirmed cases, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) announced on Friday.

The Hawkesbury Coronavirus Clinic will operate out of a large van in the grounds of Hawkesbury Hospital, said a spokesperson for NBMLHD.

There are signs on the hospital campus directing people to the clinic.

From Tuesday, March 17, the clinic will operate from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

The clinic hours are under constant review in response to demand, said NBMLHD.

Associate Professor Bradley Forssman, Director Public Health, NBMLHD, said on Friday: "The risk of contracting COVID in the community from casual contact remains low."

Assoc Prof Forssman said the local Coronavirus Clinic is for people who have:

Assoc Prof Forssman advised locals do the following to keep themselves and others safe:

Outside the Hawkesbury, Coronavirus Clinics are open seven days a week at Blue Mountains Hospital (9am to 5pm), Lithgow Hospital (10am to 3pm) and Nepean Hospital (10.30am to 6.30pm).

A one-stop website for information about COVID-19 for the community and health professionals is available at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx.

Hawkesbury MP Robyn Preston said: "It is important that we are a united community and that we particularly support our seniors and other vulnerable people. We must all work together to protect our community just as we did when we faced recent bushfires and flooding."

"For health reasons, it has been recommended that physical contact when greeting be avoided. A smile and a wave will now substitute a handshake or a hug," Ms Preston said.

"It is recommended to stay home if you are sick, support good hygiene by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, use a tissue when sneezing and work from home where practical.

"I am conscious that many community events are being postponed or cancelled and that social interaction will have to stop in a bid to curtail the spread of this virus. I am concerned for people's mental health and wellbeing as they fear catching this virus and also the impact it is having on businesses and local tourism."

Macquarie MP Susan Templeman said: "We have some difficult times ahead that require us to look out for one another, act in the best interests of the wider community, and practise health hygiene and social distancing more vigilantly than before."

"It's really important that you go to official sources and verify what you read about the situation. The NSW Department of Health is the best source of local information," Ms Templeman said.

"You can only be tested at clinics if you have travelled overseas in the last 14 days and have symptoms similar to a cold or flu, or have had close contact with a loved one or other person who has confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.

"Sensible precautions will help slow the spread and give the health system more time to be ready.

"My office will continue to supply links to official NSW and Federal health sources."