Wentworth Healthcare together with Lithgow City Council are urging Lithgow residents who may be experiencing any respiratory symptoms to get tested, after South Bowenfels was listed as a COVID-19 exposure location recently.
Wentworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, has been working closely with the Department of Health and general practices to support the local vaccination roll-out, and are calling on Lithgow locals to be vigilant and to get vaccinated.
Lizz Reay, CEO of Wentworth Healthcare said, "It is vital that we don't start taking respiratory symptoms lightly. It's easy to think it's just the sniffles or hay fever but the fact is, we don't know it's not COVID-19 unless we get tested."
Lithgow City Council Mayor, Ray Thompson said "Although no-one in Lithgow has tested positive for some time, the fact is that we are still in a global pandemic and we are in the midst of an outbreak in Greater Sydney. Lithgow's residents cannot afford to be complacent," she said.
"It is up to all of us to help suppress this disease, and the best way to do this is to get tested when we experience any COVID-like symptoms, even mild ones, and to get vaccinated as soon as we are eligible and can secure an appointment," said Mayor Thompson.
"I am proud that a number of local general practices, and some pharmacies, in our region have signed up to be COVID-19 vaccine providers and that they are rising to the many challenges of this unprecedented national roll-out," said Mayor Thompson.
"Currently there are six practices in Lithgow offering the AstraZeneca vaccine and four of these practices also offer the Pfizer vaccine," Ms Reay explained.
"We ask the community to be patient with practices, and particularly practice staff, when trying to book a vaccination appointment," said Ms Reay.
"We are hearing reports that practice staff are bearing the brunt of community frustration regarding vaccination. Our general practices are working as hard as they can vaccinate our community with the limited vaccines available. It is important that at this time, we all pull together as a community and try not to Make the job of our health professionals more difficult," Mayor Thompson added.
Testing Options in Lithgow:
- Lithgow Hospital Walk-in Clinic, South Bowenfels Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm
Testing locations are available on the NSW Health website or refer to Wentworth Healthcare's website.
Bookings for vaccinations can be made via the Eligibility Checker. More appointments will become available as national vaccine supply increases over the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to I know if I am eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine
Using the Eligibility Checker and answering the prompted questions, you can find out if you are currently Eligible for vaccination.
How do I book an appointment of vaccination?
If the Eligibility Checker finds that you are eligible, it will show you vaccination providers close to your postcode where you can book an appointment online or via phone.
Will I be able to choose where I can book?
You will be able to view and select clinic locations based on the postcode you enter.
What happens if there are no appointments available?
Vaccination locations are updated as more vaccine providers come on board. More appointments will be made available as vaccine supply increases, so keep checking.
