SA secures up to 6 million extra rapid antigen tests for healthcare workers

SA has secured between four and six million extra rapid antigen Covid tests in a major boost to the state’s stockpile that will preserve the health workforce as virus cases soar.

Up to six million extra rapid antigen tests have been secured for health workers in South Australia, in a major boost to the state’s stockpile that will ensure hospital staff can remain on the pandemic frontline.

The number of new Covid cases rocketed to 1472 on Wednesday, while the number of people hospitalised remained steady at 37.

Soaring case numbers across the country have left PCR testing capabilities overrun and fuelled a push towards self-administered rapid antigen testing.

The line up early on Wednesday morning at the Covid testing station at Victoria Park. Picture: Emma Brasier

A nurse conducts a rapid antigen test at a drive-through clinic in Sydney. Picture: Julian Andrews

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who will on Thursday convene an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet, said the Omicron variant required a “gear change” in testing arrangements.

He said government-provided rapid tests should be used to screen close contacts, asymptomatic international arrivals, healthcare workers and those who work in high-risk settings such as residential aged care. Aged-care residents would also be screened in the event of an outbreak.

“In other casual settings, it’s a matter of going off to the chemist, and I can tell you that we are (and) have been working with the suppliers in that industry,” he said.

However, of the 18 Adelaide supermarkets and chemists contacted by The Advertiser on Wednesday, 17 had no stock and one had sold out by 11am.

Mr Marshall, who last week said there were “millions” of test kits ready to be rolled out in SA, defended the shortage.

“We’ve got to preserve those for the areas which are most important for us at the moment, which is the healthcare settings, and making sure that they’re used there appropriately,” he said.

Cars line up at the Harts Mill Covid testing station at Port Adelaide on Wednesday. Picture Dean Martin

The queue at Adelaide Airport for a Covid test on Wednesday.

“We know that they are available, not widely available, but they are available in South Australia and there will be more and more that come on to the shelves in the coming days.”

Health authorities confirmed on Wednesday the state government had secured 4-6 million extra testing kits, which would also be used in healthcare settings.

The cost of that order is split 50-50 between the state and federal governments.

Also on Wednesday, the Victorian health minister announced that state had secured 34 million kits that would be delivered by the end of January.

Unlike SA, they will be provided free and made widely available to Victorians.

NSW authorities have also flagged free testing kits will be provided to the public. That state will buy 30 million additional tests after an initial order of 20 million.

However, Mr Marshall said SA was at a different outbreak stage and there was no plan to distribute the tests to the public for free.

HOW SA COMPARES FOR RAPID TESTS

VICTORIA: Announced it has purchased 34 million rapid antigen tests, which will be free and made widely available. They are currently available to buy.

NSW: The government previously ordered 20 million RAT tests, and on Wednesday another 30 million were ordered. Authorities have flagged they will be free but they are currently sold.

QUEENSLAND: RAT tests are allowed to be sold but are unavailable at many outlets. A rule change on January 1 will mean travellers from hotspots must take a rapid antigen test no more than 72 hours before entry.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: RAT tests are currently banned as a diagnostic tool in WA but Premier Mark McGowan has flagged that is likely to change after the border opens in February.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: RAT tests are allowed to be sold but are unavailable at many outlets. Premier Steven Marshall has said the tests will not be distributed for free.

“We’ve now got to, with this outbreak, listen to the public health officials. They have not provided that advice whatsoever,” he said.

“There is a real worry of people using these incorrectly so we will listen to the public health advice that we have in South Australia,” he said.

The state opposition and Greens have both backed a call to make the tests, which sell for $10-15 per swab, available for free in SA.

Mr Marshall said stories of 10-hour testing queues were “absolutely devastating”, but cited SA Health advice that those with bookings were prioritised and have been waiting only about an hour.

On Wednesday afternoon, more than 700 people had joined an online queue to book a test appointment at the Ridgehaven drive-through testing clinic. The earliest available appointment was on Sunday.