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General News

22 April, 2020

COVID-19 fever clinics open on Tablelands

The Mareeba and Atherton hospitals have received new tools to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of fever clinics operating out of both hospitals.

By Rhys Thomas

COVID-19 fever clinics open on Tablelands - feature photo

The Mareeba and Atherton hospitals have received new tools to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of fever clinics operating out of both hospitals.

The clinics were established on Wednesday March 15 and are to help keep people who may be contagious away from other areas of the hospitals.

COVID-19 management plans have been rolled out across 17 rural and remote facilities with Mareeba and Atherton now joining that list.

Director of Nursing and Midwifery / Service Director, Rural and Remote Services Tracy Morgan has stated that “rural hospitals are well prepared for COVID-19.”

“We have established a high level operations centre to manage and co-ordinate our resources through this unfolding health emergency,” she said.

“Rural and remote patients who test positive for COVID-19 will be cared for either in their homes or transferred to hospital based on their condition.

“Our staff are being supported with personal protective equipment and training, as well as regular check-ups to manage their health and wellbeing.”

With these clinics now being present of the Tablelands, residents can now have more piece of mind during this pandemic knowing that there are appropriate systems in place.

Ross Clarksmith, Director of Nursing and Midwifery and Facility Manager has stated that the fever clinics are “an important part of the COVID-19 response.”

“The fever clinics at the Mareeba and Atherton Hospitals allow us to test people for COVID-19 and help keep potentially contagious people away from other areas of the hospital,” he said.

“Fever clinics are an important part of the COVID-19 response and are also at Cairns North, Cairns Hospital, Edmonton, Innisfail Hospital and Yarrabah Hospital.”

The Mareeba Hospital Fever Clinic operates from Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm and no appointments are necessary, the Atherton clinic is only open through referrals via the Emergency Department.

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