NSW Health Minister victim of false RAT reporting

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has launched an extraordinary tirade at people reporting fake Covid test results.

People are uploading false rapid antigen test information about others on Service NSW, in what has been slammed as “juvenile, moronic” behaviour.

NSW residents have been able to register positive RAT information to an online register since January 12.

But this has opened the door for people to enter incorrect information about the Covid status of others.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has revealed he was twice the victim of people falsely reporting him as having Covid.

He found out after reports from the public the fake results were being logged.

“I am aware of some reports that some people think it’s a joke … perhaps it’s malicious, to put in false reports to health and Service NSW about somebody being positive,” Mr Hazzard said.

Health Brad Hazzard erupted over the false claims.. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

“I’ve heard those reports, I can now speak from personal experience.

“I received a notification yesterday and again today from Service NSW, that apparently somebody has put my name in there as being a positive rapid antigen test.

“It’s extremely irresponsible … juvenile, moronic. Also just so disappointing to think that you would actually undermine an incredibly hard working public health team.”

He added there would be a $5000 fine for anybody who misrepresented facts to the government.

How to register your positive RAT result

Most states now provide an online form where you can register a positive Rapid Antigen Test result.

In some states, registration for positive for Rapid Antigen Test is complulsory. You will need to register the result or face a fine.

Here’s how to do it in the states where it is available.

• Register in Victoria

• Register in New South Wales

• Register in Queensland

• Register in South Australia

• Register in Northern Territory

• Register in Tasmania

 

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said false test information could add to duplication issues.

“We are actually trying to deduplicate the numbers,” Dr Chant said.

“Where people are putting in details that are not correct, that actually obviously can compound any challenges with deduplication but we are working on that.”

She said they were not just relying on tests to assess the daily case numbers, but also workplace absenteeism information, hospitalisations, ICU and behavioural surveys.

NSW recorded 29,830 new Covid-19 cases and a record 36 deaths of people with the virus on Tuesday.

Of the new cases on Tuesday, 13,763 were detected on rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 16,067 were found through PCR testing.

Health officials said 11,564 of the positive RAT results were from the previous seven days.

Originally published as NSW Health Minister victim of false RAT reporting