When Shellharbour woman Ros McIntyre learnt she had visited Warilla Grove in the days after a COVID-19 case had attended, she thought she should get tested as a precaution.
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Ms McIntyre, who works part-time in aged care, was tested at Laverty Pathology's Barrack Heights testing clinic last Wednesday at 3.30pm - and did not receive her results for another 99 hours.
Long wait times for results are becoming increasingly common with some pathology providers as more than 100,000 people turn out across NSW for testing each day.
Ms McIntyre grew anxious on Sunday about whether she would make it to work the following day, having already had to take Friday off.
She tried dozens of times to call Laverty Pathology but each time the phone rang out or the call ended.
"For me the worst part was... that I had no communication with anybody," Ms McIntyre said.
Fellow Shellharbour resident Tayla Temminck attended the same clinic on Friday afternoon and was still waiting for her results on Monday night.
She had to get tested for her job in traffic control and hoped she would receive her results by Sunday at the latest.
Miss Temminck has also missed out on work and, as a casual employee, has no sick leave or other entitlements to make up for the lost hours.
She said this financial loss had affected her rent and car payments.
Read more: New COVID rules: What is and isn't allowed?
Another Illawarra resident told the Illawarra Mercury her daughters were tested at a Laverty site as a precaution last Wednesday evening, and they too did not receive their results until Sunday night.
She said her children did the right thing in isolating that entire time, but she was sure others would not wait so long.
Wollongong-based Southern.IML Pathology operates a number of testing clinics in the region.
Patient services manager Narelle McCann said the average turnaround time was currently 24 to 48 hours, with testing undertaken at the Coniston laboratory.
Ms McCann said the increased demand for testing had proved a challenge, but Southern.IML had put on extra staff and employees were working overtime, so they had been able to keep on top of it.
Laverty Pathology did not respond to questions, but a document on their website dated August 11 said the provider was processing up to 20,000 to 30,000 tests per day, with results available within three days.
On Monday, chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said the government was looking at strategies to reduce turnaround times.
"We are looking at rapid antigen testing, and we've certainly had strong industry engagement promoting the use of rapid antigen testing," Dr Chant said.
"So if we can move some of our testing to using other, non-PCR based testing methods, that will actually free up our capacity to get those turnaround times down."
The $320 payment for people who lose work isolating while awaiting a test result is not available outside the Sydney LGAs of concern.
However, Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the crisis committee was discussing a possible extension of these payments.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
