When and where you can buy RAT kits in the South Burnett – full list

‘The phones don’t stop’: Overwhelming demand for the at-home Covid test has emptied shelves across the South Burnett, but some stores are hoping to restock as soon as this week. SEE THE FULL LIST:

Desperate residents are scrambling to locate rapid antigen tests in the South Burnett as hundred of Covid cases spring up across the region.

The latest government statistics indicate there are 255 confirmed cases in the South Burnett as of Tuesday, with the state recording another 20,566 cases and a death overnight.

Skyrocketing case numbers have left PCR testing clinics across Queensland overwhelmed, while a statewide shortage of rapid antigen tests has left thousands of people struggling for options.

A Nanango pharmacist, who didn’t wish to be named, said “the phones don’t stop ringing” with people searching far and wide for the elusive RAT kits.

He said the issue stemmed from suppliers and wholesalers, who were able to supply the pharmacy with a couple of boxes when they were first distributed but have since struggled to keep up with the growing demand.

“We ordered more tests weeks ago and they’ve been on back order since,” he said.

“In the meantime we recommend giving Nanango or Kingaroy Hospital a call, where you can get a PCR test.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath announced last week that the State Government had received 500,000 RATs, but it would take several days before regions got access to the tests.

“It will take a number of days to get them out into the regions and across Queensland, but we will make sure that we get these rapid antigen tests to every one of our public testing clinics over the next few days,” she said.

Ms D’Ath said the only people lining up for PCR tests should be those with symptoms who cannot get access to a RAT, or close contacts and confirmed cases who need their Day 6 test to exit quarantine.

Scoring a RAT kit in the South Burnett region remains a near-impossible feat, with some pharmacies who were phoned revealing they’d initially received small amounts of stock which had quickly sold out.

See the full list of stockists and potential delivery dates below:

The list will be updated as tests become available.

STOCKISTS:

Blooms The Chemist, Kingaroy Shoppingworld

Currently out of stock, unable to confirm when supplies would arrive

Kingaroy Discount Drug Store, Kingaroy St

Currently out of stock, unable to confirm when supplies would arrive

Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse, Rogers Dr

Currently out of stock, potentially restocking on Wednesday

Blooms The Chemist, Avoca St

Currently out of stock, unable to confirm when supplies would arrive

Woolworths Kingaroy

Currently out of stock, unable to confirm when supplies would arrive

IGA Kingaroy

Currently out of stock, potentially available by the end of the week

Nanango Discount Drug Store, Fitzroy St

Currently out of stock, unable to confirm when supplies would arrive

Nanango Pharmacy, Drayton St

Currently out of stock, potentially available by the end of the week

Wondai Pharmacy, MacKenzie St

Currently out of stock, potentially available by the end of the week

Amcal+ Pharmacy Murgon, Lamb St

Currently out of stock, unable to confirm when supplies would arrive

Yarraman Pharmacy, Margaret St

Currently out of stock, unable to confirm when supplies would arrive

Proston Health & Beauty, Blake St

Currently out of stock, potentially available by the end of the week or early next week

Blackbutt Pharmacy, Coulson St

Currently out of stock, unable to confirm when supplies would arrive

Goomeri Community Pharmacy, Boonara St

Currently out of stock, unable to confirm when supplies would arrive

WHERE TO GET A PCR TEST

Currently, other testing sites in the region can be found at:

Nanango Hospital

Murgon Hospital

QML Pathology Kingaroy

Cherbourg Hospital

Gayndah Hospital

Monto Hospital

Mundubbera Multipurpose Health Service

Eidsvold Multipurpose Health Service