The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) has stood up its first COVID-19 testing clinic to assist in identifying potential coronavirus cases.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles said QAS officers were recently called on to assist and support Queensland Health and Local Health and Hospital Services with COVID-19 testing.
“Just over one week ago the QAS committed 50 staff to assist with pop-up testing clinics that could be rapidly deployed to areas where testing needs to be undertaken,” Mr Miles said.
“Officers undertook training last week and are now ready for rapid deployment to areas of demand.
“Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young has identified the suburbs of Redbank, Redbank Plains and Goodna as areas where cases of COVID-19 may be diagnosed.
“As such, the QAS has stood up a clinic at Redbank Plains to provide support to our other health resources in those suburbs of concern.
“Swift testing is imperative to contain potential outbreaks and reduce further spread of known clusters.”
The clinic, staffed by QAS officers, will be in operation from the afternoon of Monday 14 September and is located at the Westminster Warriors Soccer Club off Moreton Avenue, Redbank Plains.
Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum encouraged his community to get tested.
“We’re encouraging everyone who has any symptoms, particularly people in Redbank, Redbank Plains and Goodna suburbs, to please get tested as soon as possible and remain isolated until a result is returned,” Mr McCallum said.
“I want to say thank you to our community, who have already done a great job of following the health advice.”
QAS Commissioner Russell Bowles said QAS officers were willing and able to assist in Queensland’s pandemic response.
“When we put the call out last week asking for officers to be involved in the pop-up testing clinics, we were inundated with interest,” Commissioner Bowles said.
“We’re fortunate to have the ability to rapidly train and deploy officers for all manner of events and this has been no different.
“We now have officers ready to be deployed across the state should we be required to assist in other locations.”
Information on locations of testing and fever clinics can be found here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed/testing-and-fever-clinics
