Batemans Bay doctors are pleading with visitors to stay away from the Eurobodalla Shire, fearing health services will not cope with coronavirus cases.
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Surf Beach GP James Langley said he and colleagues worried visitors could bring more COVID-19 cases to the shire, which has no intensive care beds.
Intensive care beds are needed to treat dangerous COVID-19 cases, he said.
"Batemans Bay doctors are concerned the area's health service will not be able to cope with the demand and plead with visitors to stay home," Dr Langley said.
The shire has a high elderly population of 30 per cent (nearly double the state average), and a high Indigenous population of 5.6 per cent (compared to 2.9 in NSW).
He said if visitors, for example, lived in Canberra but came to the shire and became sick, it would be a "logistical nightmare" to get them back to the city.
"I really fear for the frail and elderly population," Dr Langley said.
"We are pleading with visitors to cancel their holiday plans for their own safety."
The GP said most of his consultations were over the phone and most of his patients were either frail or elderly, or young people who were immuno-suppressed.
He said doctors were trying to limit visits to aged-care facilities and were trying to prevent people coming to medical practices at all.
Dr Langley strongly discouraged non-essential travel.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr also warned Canberrans against making non-essential travel to areas outside of the Canberra region, such as visiting family or friends for the weekend.
Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes has asked visitors not to come to the region for the Easter holidays.
Southern NSW Local Health District has established COVID-19 Assessment Centres throughout the District, so those with symptoms may be tested and treated quickly.
The purpose of these clinics is for people who have respiratory symptoms or fever and who are at risk of COVID-19, for example because they were in contact with a COVID-19 case, or have returned from overseas in the 14 days before onset of symptoms.
Any one heading to an assessment centre MUST call the SNSWLHD Central Intake Service - 1800 999 880 (option 1) before attending.
You will only be tested if you fit the COVID-19 testing criteria.
This testing can take up to two days to complete and report back. For the latest, up to date information head to: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
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