Since March 20 2020, staff have obtained 3950 swabs (to March 31 2021), which includes the asymptomatic blitz carried out early in the pandemic (211 swabs).

EGHS chief executive Andrew Freeman said early in 2020 EGHS introduced a training program to ensure enough staff were skilled in obtaining the COVID-19 swab, with currently between 60-70 staff now trained in the procedure.

Initially a daily clinic was established through the Urgent Care Centre, with a permanent clinic later set up in a marquee in the EGHS carpark next to the UCC.

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Specific staff were employed to run the daily clinics Monday to Friday, with the clinic offered through the UCC on weekends.

"Staff include both clinical and administrative, which has allowed our health service to continue to provide all other services required on a daily basis," Mr Freeman said.

"It has also meant EGHS was able to ramp up services when events such as the NSW border closure occurred at Christmas.

"Congratulations to all staff involved in setting up and running these very important COVID-19 swab clinics."

Drive-up clinics continue to be held, Monday to Friday, and weekend clinics at the Urgent Care Centre. Mr Freeman reminded the community to keep getting tested, even if symptoms were only minor. On the DHHS website it states people with no symptoms can also be tested for coronavirus in very specific circumstances. More information can be found at coronavirus.vic.gov.au/taking-test-covid-19.

Bookings for the clinic can be made by phoning 5352 9532.

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