The number of COVID-19 cases in the Blue Mountains has reached more than 600 with local politicians criticising the federal and state governments for their management of testing as cases continue to rise.
The development came as a COVID-19 testing site at Summerhayes Park at Winmalee temporarily closed on Monday, January 3. It was one of 16 drive-through testing site closures announced by private pathology company, Australian Clinical Labs, due to overwhelming demand.
"These closures have been necessary due to the significant increase in testing volumes across the state. Many of these sites will progressively reopen from Tuesday 4th January," the company announced on its website.
There were 602 COVID-19 cases in the Blue Mountains local government area on January 2, with the highest number in the Blaxland/Warrimoo/Mt Riverview area at 147.
But Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill said the actual number would be "much higher".
"This is because it is near impossible to get a PCR test and RAT tests are hard to come by, with price gouging now an emerging issue," he said.
"Council has called on the government to increase booster facilities in the Blue Mountains but this has not happened."
The mayor said both federal and state governments "have lost control and are making it up as they go along".
"What really angers me is the way both governments blame the community. Only recently the mantra was 'if in doubt get tested'. Now the government blames the community for the collapse of the testing process because they say too many are getting tested."
His concerns were echoed by State Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle who said local residents "cannot access testing clinics easily, await days for results, and have great difficulty securing RAT (rapid antigen test) kits - often at highway robbery prices".
"Once again, I have called for clinics to be set up in the Mountains for booster shots. However, it would appear that this 'let it rip' Premier does not care for the health of the state's people, the crisis faced by our hospitals and disregards both health science and workers," she said.
Federal Macquarie MP Susan Templeman said the lack of access to PCR and rapid antigen tests over the Christmas/New Year break had caused anxiety and stress for many people.
"I have had distressed messages from people who need test results in time for operations this week, and people living or close contacts with COVID-positive cases," she said.
"The failure to prepare for this stage of the pandemic - which was completely predictable based on what we've seen overseas - is a failure of both the Morrison and Perrottet governments."
The Labor MP said she called on the Morrison Government to outline a plan for rapid antigen testing months ago.
"In early October I held an online forum with a globally renowned emergency response specialist and a local testing manufacturer to brief small business owners and workers on its use. That same month, I joined with Shadow Minister for NDIS and government services, Bill Shorten, to call for the government to provide disability service providers with access to rapid antigen testing for disability support workers.
"I have stated publicly that rapid antigen self-testing kits should be free so workers, businesses, aged care, disability services and families who need them can have another layer of protection - yet the only people who can access them at the moment are those who are lucky enough to be in the right place when supplies are delivered and have deep pockets to pay for them."
Responding to the Labor criticisms of the vaccine booster rollout, a spokesperson for the Federal Department of Health said vaccinations across primary care sites continued throughout the Christmas and new year period.
"In the Blue Mountains LGA alone there are currently 22 primary care sites who are participating in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout program who are active and ready to administer vaccines as of this week," the spokesperson said.
"Enough vaccines will be delivered to vaccine sites to provide every eligible person their booster by January 14."
NSW Upper House Liberal MP Shayne Mallard said the state government is responding as fast as possible to a rapidly changing pandemic situation.
"It would be more helpful and mature if Blue Mountains Labor stopped throwing stones and worked with us addressing this once in a lifetime pandemic," he said.
Before the new year, NSW health minister Brad Hazzard said a Queensland requirement - since amended - that people receive a negative PCR test in order to enter the state had put "enormous pressure" on the NSW testing system.
National cabinet is due to discuss plans for rapid testing on Wednesday, January 5.
