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Mackay Base Hospital has received a state-of-the-art ‘Panther’ to boost its arsenal in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hospital’s new Hologic Panther Fusion machine can diagnose COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory conditions in about three hours.
The addition of the $275,000 instrument means hospital staff will no longer need to send as many swabs to Townsville for testing.
Staff have previously been able to conduct GeneXpert COVID tests, but the Polymerase Chain Reaction testing on the Panther is the gold standard and will mean faster results for people.
Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said the new Panther would be a welcome addition to provide locals with world-class healthcare.
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Update: People waited for more than three hours for COVID tests as dozens of cars converged on the drive-through clinic at the Mackay showgrounds on Sunday.
Due to the high demand, following advice from the stateâs chief health officer, Mackay Hospital and Health Service announced Mondayâs hours would be extended from 8am to 4pm.
The clinic was initially going to close at 11am.
More than 50 people have already been tested in Mackay today with cars still lining up at the clinic.
Anyone else thinking of being COVID tested is advised to return on Monday when there will be a wider range of testing options in Mackay and the Whitsundays as private facilities re-open.