A Gunnedah GP is reminding locals what they need to do if they believe they have coronavirus symptoms.
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North West Family Medical's Dr Chris Gittoes said the first thing locals needed to do was to call the public health hotline on 1300 066 055.
"They'll go through a series of questions and determine whether they are at risk and determine what the next step is they will take," Dr Gittoes said.
"What they don't need to do is go to general practices, because they can't isolate potential patients properly."
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Dr Gittoes said that everyone in the community needed to "take the possibility of transmission of coronavirus seriously".
"They need to adhere to social distancing guidelines, adhere to handwashing recommendations and cough etiquette," he said.
"If anyone has symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath or is associated with someone who may have coronavirus or returned from overseas, call the hotline.
"Whether we had a positive case in Gunnedah or not, all those strategies need to be put in place."
The doctor said his practice had undergone a few changes to combat the potential spread of the virus.
"We have a 6ft sign out the front ... and have installed an intercom system so everyone at the front door is screened prior to coming in," Dr Gittoes told the NVI.
"A few people have been confused but I don't think anyone has come in not telling us the truth, and I hope that would continue to be the case."
He encouraged all residents to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible, as the cooler weather would mean more people contracting coronavirus-like symptoms.
"Winter time will be harder because lots of people will get those symptoms so it will make it hard to screen but that will be made a lot easier if the community can prevent transmission and get a flu vaccine," he said.
The GP reminded everyone to follow self-isolation and social distancing rules to stop the spread.