Newcastle will have two new drive-through COVID-19 test sites from Wednesday as demand surges.
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The clinics at Passmore Oval and Speers Point Park, both operated by 4Cyte Pathology, will open from 7.30am to 4pm every day except Sunday.
The Speers Point testing site will operate from the park's western car park off Creek Reserve Road.
Incoming traffic will travel north along TC Frith Avenue, turn left onto Seventh Street and then on a circuit along Creek Reserve Road into the car park.
Speers Point boat ramp is closed until further notice.
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils have worked with NSW Health and police to set up the clinics on council land.
Lake Macquarie mayor Cr Kay Fraser said the council did not want long waiting times at Hunter testing sites to discourage people from seeking swabs.
She said some traffic delays in the area were likely during peak times, but the priority was to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
"That means ensuring as many people as possible are tested," Cr Fraser said.
"We've had reports of extended wait times at testing sites throughout the Hunter Region over the weekend.
"We don't want this to be a barrier for people to get tested, and for this reason we have worked as quickly as possible with NSW Health, NSW Police and Transport for NSW to find a viable new testing location."
More Hunter COVID-19 news
Cr Fraser said the council was working with NSW Health to gauge demand and investigate other potential testing sites.
"I would urge everyone to be patient, understand the unique circumstances with which we are now faced and be kind to each other during these challenging times," she said.
"And, please, if you are showing any symptoms at all, get tested and follow NSW Heath directions."
Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was "unacceptable" that some people were being turned away from Hunter testing sites due to high demand.
"The new Passmore Oval testing clinic in Wickham has the capacity to conduct several thousand tests per day, but we will continue to advocate for more testing sites in Newcastle to meet the increasing demand," she said.
FROM EARLIER
The University of Newcastle testing clinic will be closed to the public on Tuesday.
Hunter New England Health said late on Monday evening that the clinic would be providing testing for 800 university students "who have recently been impacted by the COVID-19 exposure in the campus student accommodation".
"We have taken these measures as a precaution to ensure the safety of the students given it is a high risk site," HNEH said in a post on Facebook.
"The clinic will open again to the public on Wednesday, August 11, and we appreciate your understanding and patience during this time. We also thank our partners at NSW Health Pathology for their assistance."
WHERE ELSE TO GET TESTED
PUBLIC COVID-19 TESTING CLINICS
- Belmont Hospital Drive-through Clinic - 16 Croudace Bay Road, Belmont. Follow signs on campus
- Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital - Screening desk located inside of front entrance, Edith and Plath Street, Waratah
- Cessnock Hospital Drive-through Clinic - 24 View Street, Cessnock
- John Hunter Hospital - Adjacent to the Emergency Department, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights
- Maitland Hospital - Health Services Unit, 560 High Street, Maitland
- Singleton Hospital Drive-through Clinic - Follow signs at main entrance, Dangar Road, Singleton
- University of Newcastle Drive-through Clinic - ICT car park, entry from University Drive, Callaghan
PRIVATE COVID-19 TESTING CLINICS
- Adamstown Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic - 91 Victoria Street, Adamstown, enter carpark via Victoria Street. Please do not exit your car.
- Cessnock Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic - Cessnock Civic Indoor Sports Centre car park, 88 Mount View Road
- East Maitland 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic - Stockade Hill Carpark, Brisbane Street, East Maitland
- Gateshead Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic - Harold Knight Oval, Pacific Highway (Entry via Willow Road)
- Morisset Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology Drive-through Clinic - 40 Ourimbah Street, Morisset
- Nelson Bay Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic - 20 Aquatic Close, Nelson Bay
- South Maitland Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic - Maitland Showground, Blomfield Street (entry via Anzac Street), South Maitland
- Wallsend 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic - 173 Nelson Street, Wallsend
- Warners Bay 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic - Central Church, 290 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay
To find your nearest clinic, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics