A FREE respiratory clinic has been set up in the Redlands to help contain the spread of coronavirus and ease pressure on hospitals and GPs.
The clinic, operated by SmartClinics at Alexandra Hills, opened last Wednesday and has been conducting about eight COVID-19 tests per day, all of which have so far come back negative.
It is one of four federally-funded respiratory clinics to open in the south-east.
While a fever clinic operates at Redland Hospital for patients with severe symptoms, the respiratory clinic was set up to test patients with mild to moderate cold or flu-like symptoms like coughing, nasal congestion or sneezing.
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Doctors and nurses are equipped with fluid-proof gowns, gloves, masks, and goggles.
There is also an onsite pathology collector.
The regular SmartClinics GP service has been moved to a temporary building in the car park.
It comes after Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young ordered increased testing in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns to head off the risk of sustained community transmission.
"The rate of COVID-19 is continuing to slow in Queensland but the threat remains," Dr Young said.
"We know how the vast majority of patients became infected however there are some people for whom the source of infection is unknown."
More than 87,000 tests have been completed across Queensland.
Six new cases were reported across the state on Tuesday.
The Redlands has so far recorded 20 confirmed coronavirus cases.
What happens when a patient visits the respiratory clinic?
Patients can self-refer or be referred by their GP. They need to make an appointment before they attend the clinic.
All visitors are given a surgical mask and registered through the Health Department website.
If their symptoms are more serious, they are taken to an isolation room.
A doctor then conducts a COVID-19 assessment, typically involving nasal or throat swabs and blood samples.
The process typically takes less than half an hour.
Patients are asked to self-quarantine until their test results come in, which could take 24 to 48 hours.
All results are sent back to their referring doctors for follow up.
If the result is positive, they will be advised about what to do next.
Test results are also passed on to the patient's regular GP.
The Alexandra Hills SmartClinics respiratory clinic is open between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Visit smartclinics.com.au/respiratory-clinics/ for more information.
