Illawarra residents are being referred to a pop-up shelter in the carpark of a Wollongong pathology centre for coronavirus testing.
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The drive-in testing site is manned by a single pathology worker, dressed in personal protective clothing, who takes a swab from the driver who remains seated in the vehicle.
Southern IML Pathology's Denison Street centre is listed on NSW Health's website as one of the state's dedicated coronavirus testing collection centres.
Clinical pathologist Katie Buzacott said the centre had set up the pop-up tent this week to deal with the high demand for testing.
"We're under enormous pressure - we saw 40 people for (COVID-19) testing on Monday," she said.
"People first need to be referred by their GP or other health professional.
"If they just need a nose and throat swab we can do that (from the tent), but if blood needs to be collected we do that in-centre."
Ms Buzacott said the private collection service was working with public health, and local hospitals, to undertake testing as the threat of COVID-19 increased.
On Tuesday morning there were 55 confirmed cases of coronavirus across NSW - and more than 600 cases under investigation.
Labor's health spokesman Ryan Park this week called for centralised testing centres, however he felt the drive-in set-up was not good enough.
"Surely we can do better than this? A tent in the carpark is not what the community expects when they turn up to a testing centre," he said.
"There is little or no privacy, which at a minimum everyone is entitled to when it comes to their health. These people are out in the open for all to see and that is unacceptable.
"We have multiple health facilities across our region and I am sure they would have capacity to be set up as a temporary testing facility.
"A tent in a carpark will not be suitable as this virus continues to get worse."
The Keira MP called on NSW Health and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to come up with better options for testing.
"We know there is an unused ward in Wollongong Hospital, surely that seems like a reasonable facility to be used for this sort of testing," he said.
"The new building at Bulli Hospital is about to be opened, perhaps this Government should look at using the old facility over the coming months."
An Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District spokeswoman would not say whether they'd been any confirmed cases in the region.
"As has been occurring since the outbreak of COVID-19, and in line with national protocols, NSW Health promptly notifies the public of any locations, including on public transport, where there has been a risk of infection," she said.
"This is so members of the public can monitor their symptoms and seek medical assistance if they become unwell.
"In addition, NSW Health takes proactive steps to contact all close contacts of the patient, including family members and co-workers, to give them advice on isolation, symptoms to be aware of and their level of risk.
"Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 and their close contacts are either being treated in hospital or are in self-isolation to ensure there is no ongoing risk of infection to others in the community.
"Locations where these cases live, work or have visited do not pose any ongoing risk to the public.
"Publishing private details, such as the location of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, is a breach of patient privacy and serves no public health benefit."
NSW Health is advising people to protect themselves from COVID-19 in the same way they would protect themselves from catching flu or other respiratory illness.
This includes washing their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based sanitiser; and avoiding touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
People are also advised to cover a cough or sneeze with their elbow or a tissue; to avoid close contact with people who are ill and to stay home if they're sick.
If they develop flu-like symptoms, they should call their GP, emergency department or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
For more information visit the NSW Health website.