Call for new testing program as four viruses swamp hospitals

As winter begins the health system is under assault from and unprecedented simultaneous outbreak of four respiratory viruses, find out how to check which one you have.

Doctors want the state government to bring in automatic influenza tests whenever symptomatic patients are swabbed for Covid-19.

Infectious diseases experts say a testing program is vital to relieve pressure on hospitals and ensure people get access to bespoke flu and Covid treatments.

Along with surging Covid infections, there is an escalating outbreak of RSV, the flu and metapneumovirus (which causes cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath).

The Immunisation Coalition is calling on every state to follow NSW and Queensland and test all Covid PCR swabs for influenza and Covid-19 as well as RSV and whooping cough.

They want GPs to perform a nasal swab on patients with respiratory viruses and test for up to 20 different infections.

Immunisation Coalition chairman, Adelaide-based GP Dr Rod Pearce, said testing for other respiratory illnesses would help identify patients faster and stop the spread of other potentially treatable, and fatal, infections.

“We don’t know what is around at the moment in our community,” he said. “There is no indication who is sick and from what. We only know about Covid.”

Doctors are particularly urging flu vaccines to be given to children.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners SA and NT chairman Dr Danny Byrne said testing for all viruses made sense.

“I’ve clinically treated at least 10 influenza cases this week, and for every positive case there are at least 10-20 patients going undetected,” he said.

“The true number, anecdotally, is at least 10 times higher.”

Health Minister Chris Picton said he was seeking “urgent advice” about dual-testing. “This advice includes the health advice, logistical capability and impact on Covid laboratory testing,” he said.

“Simultaneous testing of influenza and Covid-19 is a step we are actively investigating.”

Sources said SA Health officials had agreed a month ago to allow checks for other viruses including influenza at official Covid-19 drive-through testing clinics

“While we are exploring the option of undertaking multiple virus testing more widely by SA Pathology, our first focus is ensuring GP respiratory clinics can undertake influenza testing to ensure those at highest risk can access test and treatment,” an SA Health spokeswoman said on Friday.

“Influenza testing is most useful for those who are at high risk of severe illness”

Private laboratories such as Clinpath Pathology and Australian Clinical Labs can cater for more than 4000 tests a day at drive-through clinics with a GP referral.

FOURTH COVID JABS

On Friday, SA Health announced wider eligibility criteria for a fourth winter dose of Covid vaccine.

The winter dose is available to people aged 16-64 who have complex, chronic or severe conditions that increases their risk of severe illness from Covid.

People aged over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50, residents of aged care homes and immunocompromised people were already able to have the fourth jab.

That list has been widened to include:
• Immunocompromising conditions

• Cancer

• Specific chronic inflammatory conditions

• Chronic lung disease

• Chronic liver disease

• Severe chronic kidney disease

• Chronic neurological disease

• Diabetes requiring medication

• Chronic cardiac disease

• People with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities.

• Severe obesity or severely underweight