A SIX-lane drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic that can swab up to 900 people a day will open at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday.
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As case numbers remained stable at 277 in Hunter New England on Tuesday, public health officials announced they would open a new 10-day drive-through testing clinic at the stadium to help "capture" any cases of coronavirus still circulating in the community.
"With Mother's Day fast approaching, this is a great opportunity for Newcastle locals who have symptoms to be screened for COVID-19," Hunter New England public health physician, Dr David Durrheim, said.
"It will still be important to observe physical distancing and not visit even if you are slightly unwell, but it may put some peoples' mind at ease that the new symptoms are not COVID-19.
"Beating COVID-19 is a team sport and we're asking all locals to play their part."
People with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath are being urged to get tested.
Dr Durrheim said people who had even mild symptoms - such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose - could also contact the clinic to arrange testing.
Across Hunter New England, 28,769 people have now been tested for COVID-19, with 0.96 per cent of tests returning positive.
Two COVID-19 patients are being cared for in the region's hospitals, and five are receiving Hospital in the Home support.
NSW now has the capacity to test more than 8000 people a day. Since 8pm Monday, there had been three additional cases of COVID-19 diagnosed across NSW, bringing the state's total to 3035. There had been 45 deaths.
There have been 360 locally-acquired cases with an unknown source of infection, and the majority of cases in NSW had been diagnosed in people aged 20-to-29.
There are now 102 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, including 13 people being treated in Intensive Care Units, with 11 of those requiring ventilators.
There have now been 2,349 people who have recovered from COVID-19 in NSW.
In addition to the McDonald Jones Stadium service, Hunter New England Health continues to operate clinics at Calvary Mater Newcastle, John Hunter, Maitland, and Belmont hospitals for Newcastle and Hunter locals.
Testing is by appointment only.
Those wishing to be tested can contact the drive-through clinic on 4964 7497 to arrange an appointment, prior to attending.
The clinic will operate 8am to 4.30pm from Friday, May 8, until Sunday, May 17.