With the discovery of COVID-19 traces in local sewage plants and occasional COVID cases in the region, it is vital that Clarence and Richmond Valley locals be vigilant for symptoms and get tested, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis says.

“No matter how insignificant your symptoms feel, you should be your best and take the test,” Mr Gulaptis said.

The MP, who was himself volunteered for multiple tests after an event in Parliament over the winter stressed the benefits.

“It is free, it is painless, it protects you and your community and, importantly, it contributes to statistics that strongly influence health authority decisions about local restrictions,” Mr Gulaptis said.

Testing involves a sample of fluid being taken from inside your nose and/or your throat using a medical swab. The swab is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. You will normally receive your results within a day or two.

Appointments are not required for tests at Grafton Base Hospital, Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology in South Grafton, Ballina, Casino and Evans Head.  Appointments are needed for the Respiratory Clinics in Yamba and Casino. There are a number of COVID-19 testing locations across the region. You can find your nearest clinic here https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics.

Currently, over 100,000 tests are carried out every day for a cumulative total of more than 16 million since the beginning of the pandemic.