51 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported across the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) on Tuesday as the Premier prepares to visit Wagga and tour the hospital.
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Premier Dominic Perrottet will visit Wagga Base Hospital today, along with regional health minister Bronnie Taylor, to tour the hospital, discuss with stakeholders and hold a press conference.
Also in attendance will be Wagga MP Joe McGirr, MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford, and MLHD director of medical services Len Bruce.
Across the state on Tuesday 6,062 new cases of COVID-19 were reported from 93,581 tests, down almost 200 from the day prior.
The number of tests processed has also dropped, compared to 164,000 last Thursday.
People travelling to Queensland are still required to provide a negative PCR test within 72 hours of visiting, which health minister Brad Hazzard said is putting "incredible pressure" on the system.
He has previously called on interstate premier's to reconsider this policy.
Many testing clinics have been running at reduced hours over the holiday period, and some test results are taking up to five days to be returned across the state.
The MLHD COVID testing clinic on Murray Street will be open from 9am to 4pm today, and the Wagga Showgrounds drive-through clinic will be open today from 10am to 6pm.
The hours at both clinics have been extended following a huge surge in demand for testing over the Christmas period.
In recent days, hundreds of people have queued along Murray Street and in their cars at the Showgrounds to be tested, braving the hot conditions and long waiting times.
The MLHD said on Tuesday morning that in the past 24 hours, staff members at testing clinics in Wagga and Griffith have swabbed a "record" number of people.
The MLHD has warned people to expect delays at both testing sites, encouraging people to bring a drink of water, as well as a sunhat and portable chair if they are planning to queue at Murray Street.
Additionally, the health district is urging people to be patient with the staff members on-site working "as fast as they can to process each person requiring a test".
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NSW Health said in a statement that testing capacity across the state is under "enormous pressure" and the only people who should be getting a PCR test are those with symptoms, who live in a household with a confirmed COVID case, or have been in a venue which NSW Health has advised there has been high transmission.
"This applies to people who are fully or partially vaccinated, as well as those not vaccinated," the NSW Health spokesperson added.
NSW Health also said people without COVID symptoms should consider using a rapid antigen test before going out.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, runny nose, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches or pains, and a change in taste or smell.
For further testing locations across the district go to www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au, or for help accessing a test call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline 1800 831 099.
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