Darling Downs Health calls for Warwick, Stanthorpe residents to get COVID test

The call comes after routine wastewater tests on December 29 and 30 returned positive COVID-19 results in both towns as well as in Loganholme and Cairns.

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said positive sewage results were particularly concerning in light of the ongoing situation in New South Wales and Victoria.

"A positive sewage result means that someone who has been infected was shedding the virus. Infected people can shed viral fragments and that shedding can happen for several weeks after the person is no longer infectious," Dr Young said.

"While this doesn't necessarily mean we have new cases of COVID-19 in these communities, I am treating this with absolute caution given the emerging situation across several other states."

She called on people in the Warwick and Stanthorpe communities to get tested immediately if they had any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, and if they had been to Victoria or hotspots in New South Wales, to get tested regardless of whether or not they had symptoms.

"If there is a case in the community, it is critical we detect it through our testing mechanisms as quickly as possible to contain any potential spread and protect the great progress Queensland has made in recent months," Dr Young said.

Testing is available at any Darling Downs Health hospital emergency department, with additional COVID-19 testing facilities in place at Warwick and Stanthorpe hospitals from Wednesday, January 6 until Friday, January 8, from 8am to 5pm.

The additional testing facility in Warwick is a pop-up drive-in site at the Warwick Hospital, at the front of McCarthy House on Locke Street.

The community is asked to approach from the western side, with traffic queueing toward George or Clarke Street to avoid any impacts on the New England Highway.

In Stanthorpe, the testing site is at the hospital, at the front steps of the main building, and the community is asked to queue from the Bridge Street entrance.

Darling Downs Health also has testing available at its Charlton BP truckstop drive-through testing site, open 8.30am to 4pm seven days a week, and at a Baillie Henderson Hospital pop-up drive-through testing site, open 8.30am on Wednesday and Thursday.

A spokesperson said they were closely monitoring the evolving situation relating to testing demand and were prepared to keep the pop-up drive-in testing sites open longer if needed.

"We are also prepared to open further pop-up testing sites at short notice if required," the spokesperson said.

People who are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and planning to present to one of the hospital facilities for testing, are asked to phone ahead to discuss their arrival with staff.

Waiting times at testing locations can vary: people are asked to be prepared to wait and bring their Medicare card and other items they may need, such as a mobile phone, phone charger, medications, food and water.

More information about the testing sites is available on the Darling Downs Health website or by phoning the hotline on 1800 490 468.

Local GP respiratory clinics at which testing is available include James Neil Medical, Toowoomba - appointments essential, phone 4632 4888; Carbal Medical Services GP Respiratory Clinic, Toowoomba - appointments essential, phone 4580 1400; Condamine Medical Centre, Warwick - appointments essential, phone 4666 9666.

Dr Young said that if one testing clinic was crowded, people should consider attending another one.

"But I also want to reassure the community, local drinking water is thoroughly treated through processes that are designed to remove or kill microorganisms before they reach your taps - so there is no risk when drinking water, showering, watering the garden, swimming or other activities."