A total of 18 people have been tested in Griffith for coronavirus after contacting a hotline run by the region's health district.
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The latest update from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District said there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Murrumbidgee region as of March 21, with 18 people who have contacted the district's COVID-19 hotline on 1800 831 099 to receive an over-the-phone triage being tested in Griffith since March 14, with all tests returning negative to date.
A further 89 patients were tested at Wagga Wagga and 14 people were tested at other facilities.
MLHD's executive director of medical services Dr Lenert Bruce said on Friday the criteria for testing is in place to ensure the most appropriate patients are tested first.
"It looks as if the virtual clinic is working very well and we've made sure that patients are managed appropriately," Dr Bruce said.
"The community may be concerned that such a small number of patients meet the testing criteria but the reason for that is to make sure we test the most appropriate patients and we do not overwhelm the testing facilities."
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MLHD advises if you are a returned traveller or have come in contact with a confirmed case and are showing symptoms within 14 days including fever, sore throat, dry cough and shortness of breath you are to seek medical advice.
It is recommended you either contact your GP to arrange an appointment and let them know in advance if you have symptoms, call the MLHD COVID-19 hotline on 1800 831 099 for an assessment over the phone between 7am and 11pm or call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 022 222 to receive advice on the best course of action depending on symptoms and risks.
According to MLHD, people without symptoms do not need to be tested.
Testing clinics have been set up at Griffith and Wagga to allow for more testing to be undertaken.
As of March 21, there are 533 confirmed cases in NSW, with a total of 52,663 cases tested and cleared to date.
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