Four new private COVID-19 collection centres are set to open on Monday May 4, with new South-West sites to be established in Busselton and South Bunbury, and two new metropolitan sites for Myaree and Osborne Park.
The McGowan Government is working with Clinipath to establish the four new drive-through clinics, which will complement the 11 other private testing sites announced earlier this month, further expanding Western Australia's testing capabilities.
Clinipath will run the test sites as drive-through clinics so people do not need to leave their vehicle.
COVID-19 testing is also taking place at seven hospital sites across the metropolitan area and at the Bunbury Health Campus and Broome Hospital, as well as at emergency departments in regional and metropolitan WA.
People who meet the testing criteria can visit their GP for referral to the private clinics, or get a referral through a GP telehealth consultation. They can also present at a COVID clinic for testing without a referral.
There are more than 100 public hospitals, health services or remote area health clinics which can test patients in regional and remote areas.
For more information telephone the COVID-19 Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 for advice and find more information by visiting http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"As more testing equipment and reagents have become available, we have been able to expand testing to make it available to a wider proportion of the community.
"While Western Australia is currently in the fortunate position of having low daily case numbers, we can't become complacent about testing.
"That's why expanding the reach of these centres is so important.
"Being able to track the number of positive cases is a vital part of reducing the spread of COVID-19, and flattening the curve."
As stated by Bunbury MLA Don Punch:
"I whole-heartedly welcome expanding the number of local testing options for Bunbury region residents.
"This means there are more options for people in the region to get tested, closer to where they live.
"Now residents in the South-West can visit a regional health service, a COVID clinic or a private pathology lab to be tested for COVID-19."
