In a sign of the ongoing pressure for COVID-19 PCR testing, queues outside the Ballarat Health Services' Creswick Road testing site have reportedly been forming from the early hours for successive days.
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Sarah Birtles, BHS team leader of the Creswick Road testing site (open from 7.30am-3.30pm), said she had seen little to no evidence to suggest the move to make rapid antigen tests official had relieved community demand for COVID-19 PCR testing.
"Demand [here] has not eased at all," Ms Birtles said.
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"Every day people are getting here by 4.30am to queue up."
Ms Birtles added the average wait time was at least two hours, which, while lengthy, was significantly down on the immediate Christmas Eve rush of between four and five hours.
In some welcome news, however, the 4Cyte Pathology COVID-19 testing site in Redan, Skipton Street, has reopened from 8am to 12pm until at least this Sunday January 16.
Ms Birtles said she was hopeful the re-opening of the 4Cyte Pathology drive-through site - which has been closed since Christmas - would reduce the testing strain on the Creswick Road site.
Meanwhile, it appears demand at the UFS testing clinic on Dana Street has diminished to some extent.
Appointments at the UFS COVID-19 testing clinic are full for the next three days, down from six days this time last week.
Walk-in appointments at the UFS clinic are also once again available, but due to demand, results are not being returned for at least seven days.
PCR TESTING
Ballarat Health Services drive-through testing on Creswick Road
- Oen 7.30am - 3.30pm
- Rapid antigen tests not available
- Testing limited to close contacts and symptomatic patients
- No booking required
4Ctye Pathology drive-through testing - Redan
- 630 Skipton Street, Redan (entry via Bell Street)
- Open 8am to 12 pm
- Testing available for close contacts, symptomatic patients and people who require a PCR test for travel purposes
- No booking required
UFS COVID-19 testing clinic
- Corner of Dana and Doveton streets
- Open 9am - 5.30pm
- Testing limited to close contacts and symptomatic patients
- Book online or by phone (03) 4311 1571. Limited walk-in
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