Hours at a Wagga COVID-19 testing clinic have been slashed as the heat wreaks havoc and turnaround times blow out to up to five days.
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The Murrumbidgee Local Health District's COVID-19 test site at Wagga Showground, which has been inundated with people seeking a swab in the last several weeks, will now only be open between 7.30am and 12.30pm.
The move is one aimed at beating the summer heat, the MLHD said, and the new hours come into effect today.
"In response to the hot weather, the Wagga Showground drive-through testing clinic will change its hours," a spokesperson confirmed.
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The testing venue was previously opening at 8am, and prior to the current outbreak was testing through to 6pm.
Many Riverina residents have reported long waiting times between tests and results, with the health service confirming people could wait the better part of a week for an answer, depending on their circumstances.
"The wait time for results varies according to priority, but can be four to five days," the MLHD spokesperson said.
Testing has been prioritised for a range of groups, including hospital patients, healthcare workers and household contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases, the MLHD said.
Those who have symptoms or have returned a positive rapid antigen test [RAT], anyone asked by NSW Health to seek a test will also be prioritised, as are "emerging priorities" such as aged care residents and staff.
The MLHD had conducted 15,544 PCR tests at its clinics across the region in the 10 days prior to Tuesday.
Coronavirus testing sites are also located at the MLHD clinic in Murray Street between 9am and 4pm daily, the GP-led respiratory clinic at Glenrock in Glenfield Park, or the Laverty Pathology drive-through service in the Riverina Playhouse car park off Tarcutta and Cross streets.
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