Terrified student is forced to spend TWO days trying to find a coronavirus test in locked down Melbourne and is even told to get a TAXI – despite Dan Andrews insisting anyone can get tested
- Mya Orr Deas wanted to get tested after her room mate contracted COVID-19
- The unemployed Melbourne student tried two clinics within 15 minutes of home
- But both clinics were empty or closed and Ms Orr Deas didn’t have a car
- She said she was told by a health hotline to use a tram or Uber but refused
- A day later Ms Orr Deas found GP to test her, paying $75 to find she was negative
A Melbourne asthmatic student terrified she had coronavirus ended up in tears after struggling to find somewhere to get tested for two days.
Mya Orr Deas was almost certain she had the deadly virus after her room mate, Catherine, tested positive while the pair lived together in Brunswick in the city’s north.
The student tried two testing clinics within a 15 minute walk from her apartment as she doesn’t own a car and didn’t want to catch public transport to put others at risk.
But when she arrived she found both sites were closed before being told by a health worker on the coronavirus hotline to catch a cab to another clinic.
Mya Orr Deas was almost certain she had the deadly virus after her room mate, Catherine, tested positive while the pair lived together in Brunswick in the city’s north
The student who is unemployed due to the pandemic was initially told the nearest testing sites were at the Gillon Oval or at RMIT University.
But upon arrival she found nobody was at the oval and the university clinic was closed despite a sign reading it was open seven days a week.
The student then rang the health hotline which told her the next clinic available for testing was an hour away.
Ms Orr Deas was horrified to hear the health expert suggesting she catch a tram or Uber to the facility.
‘Public transport is one of the highest contagious spaces and probably the worst place to be if you think you have coronavirus,’ she told Nine News.
The student decided to wait until the following day and head back towards the clinics at Gillon Oval and RMIT University – but they were empty once more.
‘I started having a panic attack,’ she said adding her mask was becoming ‘soggy’ due to her tears.
She then frantically called almost a dozen GPs trying to find somewhere that was offering tests eventually to find one nearby that would cost her $75.
The student spent two gruelling days trying to find somewhere open to get tested and ended up having to pay $75 to see a GP
She was able to receive $40 back but believed it was wrong to have to pay for a test.
Her results were negative but she admitted if she knew it was going to be so much trouble it would’ve been easier to ‘not bother’.
‘Victoria is currently seeing the highest number of positive coronavirus cases since the beginning of this pandemic, yet it has taken me two days, $75, almost 10 phone calls and a great level of inconvenience to access a test,’ Ms Orr Deas said.
A spokesperson for the Victorian government said the testing clinic at Gillon Oval was only temporary while the RMIT site was used for testing in public housing towers.
It comes as Victoria recorded 278 new COVID-19 infections and eight deaths on Thursday.
Premier Daniel Andrews has urged all Victorians to get tested if they are connected to any cases or experience symptoms.
There are various testing clinics set up around Melbourne that offer assessments for free.
Testing is free for COVID-19 but Ms Orr Deas had to spend $75 after making an appointment with her GP