The Western Australian government has welcomed the opening of a new COVID clinic in one of the Kimberley region's highest populated towns, following major concerns for the community's vulnerability during the coronavirus pandemic.
A new dedicated COVID clinic opened in Broome on Wednesday and will operate seven days a week to allow locals to be tested for the virus.
The testing criteria was expanded for the region and allowed anyone who presented with either a fever of or above 38 degrees or acute respiratory infection to be eligible for testing.
State health minister, Roger Cook has encouraged anyone feeling sick or showing any symptoms to get tested.
“The expanded testing regime in the town of Broome and remote Aboriginal communities will help us to find new cases, protect our most vulnerable and ensure we are tracking the movement of this virus as it develops,” Mr Cook said in a statement.
"I know communities in the Kimberley are concerned but I want to be clear, all our WA Country Health Service sites remain operational,” he said.
Anyone outside of Broome can still be tested and should go to their local AMS, hospital, health service, or Royal Flying Doctor Service, if they are feeling sick.
The news of the COVID clinic comes as the number of confirmed cases in the Kimberley region continues to climb.
The WA government's heat map details the confirmed cases in the Kimberley region on April 7th. Source: WA Government
On Wednesday, a new case in the region was announced by Mr Cook.
There are 15 confirmed cases in the Kimberley region; 10 in Broome, 2 in Halls Creek, and 2 in Kununurra.
Eight out of 15 Kimberley cases are healthcare workers.
On Tuesday, a second case was confirmed in the town of Halls Creek, the new case is a close contact of the first Halls Creek case.
Mr Cook confirmed on Tuesday that no Aboriginal person had been determined to be a close contact of the doctor in Halls Creek, who last week tested positive for COVID-19.
On Monday, a Broome healthcare worker was confirmed to be positive, this healthcare worker recently returned from overseas travel and did not return to work.
The state government said on Tuesday that there is “no hard evidence” of community transmission in Western Australia but has reminded West Australians not to become complacent.
