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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Hannah Neale

Three testing sites closed, 30-minute wait at Mitchell

Long queues of cars at the Mitchell COVID-19 drive through testing site on Monday. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

The COVID-19 testing centre in Holt has reopened following a blackout as a result of Monday evening's storm. However, long wait times continue after 810 new daily cases were announced for the ACT on Wednesday.

On Tuesday clinics were at capacity for most of the day as close contacts queued to receive a PCR test.

"We are finding peak wait times are occurring in the early morning, late afternoon and evening. Visit a testing clinic in the early afternoon if you can," ACT Health said.

Meanwhile, experts have said restrictions should be tightened now to contain outbreaks with escalating COVID-19 case numbers across the country before hospitals reach capacity.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said ACT government clinics had conducted nearly 75,000 PCR tests in the past fortnight.

"That is around one in six Canberrans who've been tested in the last two weeks," Mr Barr said.

"Demand for testing remains high, and our clinics and labs are operating close to full capacity. Millions of rapid antigen tests will be arriving across the nation and into the territory in coming weeks. But at this point, it is most important that those who need a test, get a test. It is less important what kind of test that is."

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As of 5:37pm Wednesday 5 January

  • Mitchell drive-through testing clinic (open 8am to 10pm): 30 mins +
  • Garran testing clinic (open 7.30am to 9pm): 2 hours +
  • Holt testing clinic (open 8am to 4pm): closed for the day
  • Nicholls (Gold Creek School Senior Site) testing clinic (open 8am to 4pm): closed for the day
  • Kambah drive-through testing clinic (open 8am to 4pm): closed for the day
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