Demand drops for Covid-19 drive-through testing in Townsville

Major changes are coming to Townsville’s testing capacity as demand for Covid-19 tests drop.

TOWNSVILLE Hospital and Health Service will close down the Reid Park Covid-19 testing facility after completing more than 12,500 PCR tests and handing out 13,000 rapid antigen tests.

The closure comes as testing numbers across the Health Service district have dropped significantly, with just 663 tests completed in the 24-hours to 7pm on Monday.

For Thomas Wright, it will be his last day testing North Queenslanders for Covid.

“I’ve lost count of how many tests I have personally completed, but I do remember the community spirit though, which has been incredibly strong and particularly supportive of our health service,’’ he said.

‘‘I’d like to thank the community for having our backs during what has been a challenging time for us all.

“I’ll be gladly putting down the testing swabs for now and am excited to return to university as I‘ve decided to study my Master’s in nursing.

‘‘I’ve loved being here for the North Queensland community, and I never thought I’d say this, but I’m pretty excited to be going back to university and study.’’

When the THHS reopened Reid Park, the community was waiting hours to receive a PCR test, but the introduction of RATs has reduced wait times and demand.

THHS chief executive Kieran Keyes said the health service reopened the Reid Park testing facility after demand increased in early January due to the reopening of borders.

“Since then, our staff have completed thousands of PCR tests and handed out thousands of RAT kits to support our community as COVID-19 case numbers rose,” Mr Keyes said.

“Thankfully, we’re moving at a steady pace and the demand for testing has waned, which is why we’re able to close Reid Park as a testing clinic and begin transferring staff back into their usual roles.

“I am so thankful to every staff member who enabled us to expand our testing options for the community and who worked in sometimes extreme weather conditions to support the community.”

Executive Covid-19 lead Judy Morton said now that the health service had a steady supply of RATS, it was looking to get staff back to their regular duties.

“I want to stress that if we see a further surge in demand for testing, we will respond and scale the capacity up if needed,” Ms Morton said.

“It is still important that close contacts and those with COVID-19 symptoms continue to come forward for testing.”

Townsville Local Disaster Management Group chairwoman Jenny Hill said the community was fortunate to have a well-organised and responsive disaster management group, with excellent co-operation between organisations involved.

“This means we are able to act quickly to provide the support the community needs in a timely and efficient manner, and the response to the pandemic demonstrates that,” Cr Hill said.

“The LDMG stands ready to provide any further support the Townsville HHS needs into the future.”

Demand drops for Covid-19 testing in Townsville

TOWNSVILLE Hospital and Health Service could drop down to one drive-through Covid-19 testing clinic if demand continues to decrease.

This comes as the sixth person, a man in his 80s, died with Covid-19 in the Townsville region.

The number of PCR tests being performed at the testing clinic at the Reid Park and former 1300SMILES stadium facilities has dropped significantly in the past month.

THHS could make the decision to drop down to one drive-through testing clinic if demand continues to dwindle.

In the period of a month, the number of tests being performed across the THHS has dropped from more than 1000 to less than 500.

On January 13, 1054 were PCR tests were performed across the THHS, while on February 13, just 494 tests were completed.

Covid Testing

On February 14, 681 tests were performed, with 217 patients in the THHS virtual ward, 49 patients being cared for by the infectious diseases team and three people were in ICU.

In the 24-hours to Sunday night at 7pm, just 405 tests were completed in the THHS area.

With more rapid antigen tests becoming available, the demand for PCR tests has gone down.

On Tuesday last week, there was about a 45-minute wait for testing at both Reid Park and 1300 Smiles.

This is in stark contrast to scenes at the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 when people were waiting more than six hours in their vehicles for PCR tests as more people moved freely between hot spots and Queensland.

THHS chief executive Kieran Keyes said demand at both drive-through testing locations was being monitored.

“If community demand for testing was significantly reduced, we could consider moving to a single testing location,” Mr Keyes said.

“Testing can be quickly scaled up and down at any time depending on demand. In the event of a surge in testing, we could quickly reinstate a previously used location or increase the number of testing lanes.”

Mr Keyes said the prevalence of RATs had enabled easier access to Covid-19 testing.

Short supply of RATs at the beginning of the year as cases exploded in the region initially increased demand for PCR testing.

To date 8574 RATs have been distributed at the two THHS testing locations.

“Because of this, the numbers of PCR tests are not of concern,” Mr Keyes said.

Elderly man dies with Covid-19

ANOTHER person has died with Covid-19 in Townsville, while there are more than 40 people being cared for by the Townsville University Hospital infectious diseases unit.

The man, who is in his 80s, is the sixth person to die with Covid-19 in Townsville since cases began cropping up after the border to hot spots opened.

Currently, there are 171 patients being cared for by the Townsville Hospital and Health Service Board and three people currently in ICU.

THHS chief executive Kieran Keyes said he was saddened to hear about the man’s death.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family. No further information can be given due to confidentiality,” Mr Keyes said.

Originally published as Demand drops for Covid-19 drive-through testing in Townsville