The coronavirus screening clinics at Armidale Hospital has been extended again for another week after high demand for the tests.
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Hunter New England Health (HNEH) confirmed on Tuesday that the clinic would now open until at least May 15, after "encouraging" levels of community uptake.
All appointments for the current week were full, with more than 400 people already tested. There have been no positive result so far.
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This is the second time the testing clinics have been extended by a week.
Despite the massive increase in testing, no new cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the Armidale local government area in the latest 24-hour testing period, and the case count remains at 4. One has recovered.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH) opened the temporary clinics in the two cities on April 27 after low rates of testing and concerns around community transmission.
Public health physician Dr David Durrheim said the drive-through clinics were convenient and work efficiently to map the occurrence of coronavirus in the community.
I think when we get to about 10 per cent of the community tested, we'd feel very comfortable that nothing's being missed.
- Dr David Durrheim
Dr Durrheim said the more people tested in the community, the more confident authorities could be that no virus was being missed.
"I think when we get to about 10 per cent of the community tested, we'd feel very comfortable that nothing's being missed."
The HNEH district case count has remained steady at 277 confirmed cases for more than a week now.
The Armidale clinic is open every weekday from 9am to 4pm and a test can be arranged by calling 0427 923 080. Anyone with even the mildest of flu-like or respiratory symptoms is being encouraged to book a COVID-19 test.
