Test is done in the safety of the car

South Bunbury Clinipath was one of four new private COVID-19 testing centres across WA to open its doors to drive-through testing yesterday.

In an effort to expand WA’s testing capabilities, the State Government has been working with Clinipath to establish the new drive-through clinics.

Two new South West sites have been established, one in Busselton the other in South Bunbury and two new metropolitan sites for Myaree and Osborne Park.

“As more testing equipment and reagents have become available we have been able to expand testing to make it available to a wider proportion of the community,” Health Minister Roger Cook said.

“While Western Australia is currently in the fortunate position of having low daily case numbers, we can’t become complacent about testing.

“Being able to track the number of positive cases is a vital part of reducing the spread of COVID-19, and flattening the curve.”

With the new testing centres in the South West, Bunbury MLA Don Punch welcomed the expansion of local testing options.

“This means there are more options for people in the region to get tested, closer to where they live,” he said.

“Now residents in the South West can visit a regional health service, a COVID clinic or a private pathology lab to be tested.”

A spokeswoman for Clinipath Pathology acknowledged the support of the WA Health Department in approving easier access to testing for a wider proportion of the community, particularly in the South West.

“The drive-through clinics allow collection without people needing to leave their vehicle,” she said.

“People who meet the testing criteria can visit their general practitioner to obtain a referral to our clinics or get a referral through a GP telehealth consultation.”

Testing is also taking place at seven hospital sites across the metropolitan area and at the Bunbury Health Campus and Broome Hospital.