Queensland Health is increasing its testing capacity to help manage the surge in demand caused by the latest COVID-19 cluster.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young asked people to be patient if they experienced long waits while getting tested.

“There has been a significant rise in the number of people at our COVID-19 testing clinics,” she said.

“That is pleasing to see – testing people is the only way we can know for sure how widespread this current outbreak is.

“I know some people have had to wait longer than normal to be tested but I urge them to remain in place and get the test, especially if they have symptoms or have been at one of the contact tracing locations published on our website.

“Our staff are working very hard to minimise the wait in line but this is a process that requires care and accuracy. They are doing the best they can.

“To keep up with demand for testing, we have opened additional testing sites or extended the operating hours of some of our existing ones.

“If the testing clinic you are visiting is busy, consider going to a different one where you may get through faster, including private testing facilities.

“The community response so far has been brilliant and I thank everyone for acting so responsibly.”

Queensland Health is opening new facilities or extending the hours of existing facilities, including:

• Court Street Fever Clinic (Ipswich Hospital)
  8.30am - 7pm, Monday 2 August, 8am-6.30pm Tuesday to Friday

• Mater Private Hospital Springfield COVID-19 testing clinic, 30 Health Care Drive, Springfield Central
  8am - 4pm Monday to Friday

• QML Pathology drive-through COVID-19 testing site at Raceview Hockey Grounds, 65 Briggs Road
  8am - 4pm Monday to Friday

A range of Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology sites are open, Check the SNP website to find your nearest clinic: www.snp.com.au/coronavirus-covid-19/

To find testing facilities in your area, visit www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed/testing-and-fever-clinics.

South East Queenslanders are advised that there may be some impacts on hospital appointments and services in coming days.

Due to current workforce issues, some non-urgent elective surgeries and outpatient appointments may need to be postponed at some South East Queensland hospitals.

You will be contacted by your Hospital and Health Service if your appointment is affected.

The workforce issues are a result of a number of staff being identified as close contacts to COVID-19 cases and are required to quarantine for 14 days.

The safety of our staff and patients is our top priority.

Emergency, trauma and urgent surgeries will not be affected.

As always, a patient’s need for surgery is based on clinical urgency so that those patients requiring urgent treatment receive the care they need. 

Any postponed non-urgent elective surgeries will be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity by the respective Hospital and Health Service.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank Queenslanders for their patience during the current situation.

A public health alert is also being issued for new contact tracing locations in Toowong, St Lucia, Spring Hill, Taringa, Chapel Hill, Milton, Moggill and Indooroopilly.

This is a reminder for all Queenslanders to keep checking the list of exposure venues on the Queensland Health website and follow the public health advice.

Contact tracing venues can be found at www.health.qld.gov.au/tracing.