Christmas plans quashed for South Australians waiting 70 hours for Covid test result

They did the right thing and got tested – but enormous waits for results ruined Christmas for people who may not even have Covid.

Anxious South Australians waiting on Covid test results have had their Christmas plans spoiled as result turnaround times blow out to 70 hours for some.

While wait times at testing sites have eased after the availability of rapid antigen tests and casual contact rule changes, some people who did the right thing and got tested had their festive plans quashed as overrun labs processed tests at a slower pace.

SA Health advises anyone tested for Covid-19 must isolate until they return a negative result.

Krissi Gentilcore and boyfriend Kayne Stueve were tested at Willunga on Thursday morning, and didn’t get their results back until 7pm Christmas Day.

The results were negative but due to the wait the couple had to cancel Christmas Eve and Christmas day plans.

Ms Gentilcore, 25 said she called a helpline on Saturday morning at SA Pathology and was told their results were pending.

“She said they were really behind … and she couldn’t tell me when my results would come through,” Ms Gentilcore, of Lower Mitcham, said.

Krissi Gentilcore and Kayne Stueve with their dog, Diego. Picture: Matt Loxton

“When we got our test on Thursday morning, they said it took 24 to 48 hours, I was thinking more like Friday night we would get them back.”

She said the state government should have provided rapid antigen tests to the public when it opened the borders.

“It’s just frustrating, it’s a hard thing because I appreciate everything health workers do but I’m thinking how does this happen?” she said.

“Home kits only became available yesterday, they were just not prepared, I think when they opened the border they should’ve done that so there’s not so much pressure at testing sites.”

Sophie Barbour, of Inglewood, was spending her 21st birthday in quarantine after receiving a text on Saturday morning alerting her she was Covid positive.

Ms Barbour was tested on Wednesday morning, and waited three days for a result.

“It’s more of an anxious wait for everyone else because I know the consequences of me having it means lots of others would have to go into isolation,” Ms Barbour said.

Her family had prepared for 30 guests to come for Christmas celebrations but plans were changed last minute.

Others on an online forum discussing wait times reported similar long waits, including one woman tested at a Clinpath site on Wednesday morning but was still waiting for results on Saturday morning.

Another SA woman had been tested at an Australian Clinical Labs site on Wednesday and was still waiting.

“I have waited 70 hours … don’t even need the results any more as I’ve done a rapid antigen test (negative). But if I hadn’t, our Christmas would be ruined,” she said.

A statement from SA Health said testing clinics were extremely busy in the lead-up to Christmas with SA Pathology alone processing about 16,000 Covid tests a day.

“Currently, the turnaround times for results from SA Pathology sites is between 24-36 hours, depending on the location of the site,” the statement said.

“We thank those coming out to get tested for their patience.”