As health authorities seek to get on top of an escalation of Covid19 cases in NSW, the consistent advice is to get tested early should anyone experience any flu-like symptoms.
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Cootamundra-Gundagai Local Government Area residents are doing their bit to take this advice on board with 1,039 people tested until the start of Wednesday, July 22 from when testing first became available.
Some people have been tested on multiple occasions during this time with 1,122 tests completed.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District is encouraging anyone with even the mildest symptoms to present for testing.
"Anyone who feels unwell or is concerned should be tested. Anyone with even the mildest symptoms such as sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath should be tested. Testing is free. Anyone with symptoms should come forward for testing for Covid19. Call the Murrumbidgee Covid19 Hotline on 1800 831 099," a spokesperson for the health service said.
Cootamundra resident Marjory Taprell is one person who has been tested and she encourages other residents to heed the health service advice and get tested early if they need to.
"When I was tested, I had sneezed a couple of times so I rang the hotline where I explained I did community work and also that I volunteered for Meals on Wheels and I wanted to be sure," Mrs Taprell said.
She reassured residents the test, while uncomfortable when it is happening, does not leave lasting effects and is not something to be feared or avoided.
"The freedom of knowing you are 100 per cent clear from the date you had the test is terrific peace of mind," she said.
Fortunately her test came back negative.
She encouraged people to not be complacent by the lack of cases in the local area.
"Even though I knew I hadn't been to an area with known cases when I was tested, I know this virus spreads easily," she said.
Testing takes place at the Cootamundra Hospital at a designated appointment time after someone makes contact with the hotline.