A vaccination hub in Goulburn may be on the way.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Read also:
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro strongly suggested a vaccination hub in Southern NSW was on its way at a virtual press conference on Friday, August 20.
"We had to get clarity from the ACT Government on what it was doing around vaccinations," he said.
"They won't give access to NSW residents and so based on that we have to make a decision to ramp up mobile clinics, our health clinics or do we set up a vaccination hub in a central position in that area.
"It's taken very seriously."
Currently, residents from the Southern Tablelands and surrounds are not allowed to enter the ACT for pre-booked vaccination appointments.
Mr Barilaro reconfirmed that the ACT would redirect the Covid-19 Vaccination bookings back into Goulburn, Queanbeyan and surrounding areas.
"That's fine as long as we don't lose those appointments and we will make sure that those individuals get their vaccinations.
"We will have to do more in the Goulburn part of the region and I think NSW Health is finalising where additional clinics or hubs will be to look after Southern NSW."
The proposed vaccination hub comes after the ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said residents from Goulburn and surrounding areas could not get their second pre-booked vaccine in Canberra
"We are not supporting exemptions for people in those locations at this point where they can get a vaccination in their Local Health Districts," she said.
ACT chief health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman told journalists that while her unit wanted to support vaccinations "wherever possible," the ACT was closely monitoring the risk over the border.
"We are closely working with the Southern health unit, which encompasses Goulburn, and our current plan is to support the transfer of those appointments to the Goulburn area to enable them to stay in (there). We are working through the mechanics of that," she said.
Pressed on the vaccine availability to transfer doses, Dr Coleman said it was about reducing people movement where possible.
"If it means we provide vaccines to Goulburn to deliver onsite that's a good news story for everybody," she said.
All of the Southern NSW Local Health District can enter the ACT for scheduled 'time critical' medical treatment under a standing exemption health order.
Mr Barilaro also touched on the two new Covid-19 cases in Goulburn and confirmed that the two new cases were household contacts who had not been in the community.
There are three Covid-19 cases in Goulburn, they have not been in the community.
When asked about the virus fragments found in the Mittagong sewage treatment plant, Mr Barilaro said there was nothing to report.
"Sewage surveillance is one of the tools that can give us a heads up but in many cases, we don't end up with a case," he said.
"It could be someone who has visited or come through. The Southern Highlands is attached to a main highway, the Hume Highway, so there's a lot of reason why it's in the sewage."
As it stands, there are four cases on Covid-19 in the Wingecarribee Shire Council according to NSW Health. Three have previously been reported on as a case in Mittagong and a doctor and his wife in Burradoo.
The fourth case is recorded as being from the 2577 postcode. No other information is known.
Mr Barilaro also spoke briefly on the two Queanbeyan cases and two exposure sites.
"I feel like Queanbeyan is carrying the burden for Canberra because we've allowed Canberran's to come and get tested at our major testing site," he said.
"We've had two cases and we know the two exposure sites are the Queanbeyan Woolworths and Amcol Chemist across the road.
"At this stage, the data coming back is that those two individuals have had very limited movement in their community.
"There's been no more cases since and fingers cross that remains."
There was also some confusion on the regional NSW travel pass that will come into affect over the weekend.
Mr Barilaro clarified that residents in regional NSW who needed to access medical treatment in greater Sydney did not need a pass to return to their homes. He also said compassionate care was allowed.
Mr Barilaro has urged the community to get tested and vaccinated in the fight against the delta strain.
More than 920 people were tested at Goulburn Base Hospital between August 13 and August 19.
More than 850 people were tested at Bowral and District Hospital Between August 13 and August 19.
Across NSW 644 people tested positive for Covid-19 and more than 127,000 people were tested for the virus as of Thursday August 19, 8 pm.
To find out more about the Southern NSW health exemptions into the ACT, please click here.
Anyone with even the mildest of cold-like symptoms has been urged to come forward for testing and isolate until a negative result is received.
There are several Covid-19 testing clinics across the Southern Tablelands.
Goulburn Base Hospital and Health Service
130 Goldsmith St, Goulburn
Entry through the 'old' main entrance at Goulburn Base Hospital.
Monday - Friday 9 am - 3 pm
Saturday and Sunday 9 am - 1 pm
Times above reflect extended hours due to increased demand. They are correct until Sunday July 18.
Goulburn drive-through
Seiffert Oval, Goulburn
Monday to Friday 8 am - 5 pm
Saturday and Sunday 8 am - 1.30 pm.
Goulburn Capital Pathology
127 Bourke Street, Goulburn
Rear of 127 Bourke Street enter via McNaught street between Vivid Smiles Dentist and RSM Accountants, follow street around until end.
Appointments are not required.
Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Crookwell Hospital
19 Kialla Rd, Crookwell.
Every Tuesday 9 am - 12 pm
Yass drive-through clinic
1-3 MacDonald St, Yass.
Registration recommended by calling 1800 318 248 prior to attending the clinic.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am - 12pm
Queanbeyan District Hospital & Health Service
107 Collett St, Queanbeyan NSW
Entry at the rear of the hospital with dedicated parking on Collett Street. No booking required. To register, call 1800 318 248.
Monday to Sunday 9 am - 1 pm
Queanbeyan Capital Pathology
23 Antill Street, 1st Floor, Queanbeyan.
No booking required, however registration recommended by calling 1800 318 248 prior to attending the clinic.
Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 5 pm
Saturday 7 am - 12 pm
Sunday closed.
Queanbeyan Laverty Pathology drive-through clinic
Quenbeyan Showground carpark
Monday to Friday 8 am - 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday 8 am - 3 pm
There are two Covid-19 testing locations in the Southern Highlands.
Bowral and District Hospital. Open 8:30 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. Appointments are not required. Entry is from Ascot Road.
Mittagong Respiratory Clinic. Open 8 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. Appointments required, call 4800 9032. The clinic is located in the lower level of Mittagong Health Care Centre.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here for the Highlands and here for the Tablelands. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
