A new COVID-19 testing clinic opening today at the Mount Isa Medical Centre will cater for anyone with respiratory symptoms, regardless of who their usual GP is.
"We know that we do not have any new cases, or any recorded cases in Mount Isa, but it is important that we test for the coronavirus in people having respiratory symptoms," the medical centre's Dr Michael Mbaogu said.
Anyone who displays, what they think may be, symptoms of coronavirus infection, can book online or call to receive an appointment for the clinic.
Upon arriving for the appointment, if they are in a car, patients can wait there until it is their turn to enter the clinic.
With a separate entrance from the main medical centre, Dr Mbaogu, known locally as Dr Michael, said patients should wash their hands and put on a mask upon entry.
"It is designed to alleviate the pressure on the hospital at the moment," he said.
"It is better to have it concentrated in one place, dedicated in that sense. The doctor is ready, the nurse is ready at all times."
Dr Michael said he'd been guaranteed enough personal protective equipment by the Federal Government and said there was no end date for the clinic.
He said anyone in Mount Isa or travelling to town to see a doctor, who had respiratory or flu-like symptoms, should make an appointment.
"If you have a fever, a cough, or cold-like symptoms, please do not attend your regular doctor," Dr Michael said.
"Do not present to a regular surgery with those symptoms. Ring our number and we'll bring you into the respiratory clinic to be seen and tested.
"It is the right thing to do, it is the best thing to do for everyone."
