Health experts back use of rapid antigen testing to ease Victoria’s overwhelmed system

Health experts believe they have an idea that will result in more detection of Covid while also easing the pressure PCR testing is putting on the health system.

Victoria’s testing crisis could be alleviated with a shift to rapid antigen testing, health experts say, warning the standard PCR is no longer a “fit for purpose model”.

It comes as the Department of Health on Tuesday confirmed a device that processes PCR tests in Victoria has broken down.

A department spokesman said the PCR test analyser was “out of action temporarily”.

“But Victoria’s public and private laboratories use many analysers,” he said.

“(The breakdown) is not having a significant impact on turnaround times.”

It is not known how long it will take to fix the analyser.

The Herald Sun reported earlier in the week that three in 10 people were still waiting for results a day after their tests.

By 8.30am on Tuesday, about 12 testing sites had temporarily closed because they were “over capacity”, while two were estimating waiting times of up to two hours.

But health experts have called on the government to shift its test approach, with one doctor revealing it was “increasingly apparent” the current PCR model to detect cases was “no longer fit for purpose”.

Victorians are continuing to spend hours in line to get tested for Covid. Picture: Ian Currie

Melbourne GP Nathan Pinskier, who is the principal of Onsite Doctor which provides a range of testing and vaccination services in the community, said the benefits of substituting rapid antigen testing for PCR “would certainly include eliminating the absurdly long queues seen at testing centres”.

“This simply does not happen to the same extent in the UK, Europe and the US that are far less reliant on PCR testing,” Dr Pinskier said.

“In light of the decision to no longer pursue an elimination strategy – other than perhaps in WA – there needs to be a reassessment of the purpose of testing.”

PCR testing is widely referred to by health bureaucrats as the “gold standard” because of its ability to pick up asymptomatic individuals, but Dr Pinskier said that benefit was “significantly reduced” if people became reluctant to present until symptoms became so severe or where people were turned away because testing capacity was reached.

“Its portrayal as the poor cousin of testing has resulted in a failure to fully recognise its ongoing and essential role as we open up, even with high levels of vaccination and mandates,” he added.

Experts believe rapid antigen testing will almost certainly result in more testing and detection. Picture: Alison Wynd

“The question that should be asked is whether the odd additional positive case detection by a PCR testing regimen outweighs the advantages of the far greater convenience, significantly reduced cost, earlier detection and far greater flexibility of rapid antigen testing. In a non-lockdown environment, the reality is that the widespread use of rapid antigen testing will almost certainly result in more testing and detection, not less.”

The Department of Health this week sent out an “unclear” message to “lower risk contacts” which recommended that asymptomatic people who couldn’t access a PCR testing centre, but maintain standard settings have not changed.

Government Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, who was the only politician to front the media on Monday, said it didn’t necessarily reflect a “shift in policy”.

Meanwhile, the department said it was unable to foreshadow any changes on whether rapid tests would be made free to all Victorians.

Rapid tests are provided at state-run testing sites for anyone declared a contact at a workplace, education or childcare centre.

CALL FOR GOVTS TO FUND RAPID TESTS

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has urged the state governments to “dig into their pockets” and fund rapid tests.

It comes as experts reveal Victoria’s testing crisis could be alleviated with a shift to rapid antigen testing, warning the standard PCR is no longer a “fit for purpose model”.

Mr Frydenberg on Tuesday morning said the Commonwealth had been pushing the states to shift towards making rapid tests the norm, particularly for travel.

“We believe, ahead of interstate travel, having a rapid antigen test as opposed to a PCR is not only quicker and cheaper, it also prevents the overload of the system,” he told 3AW.

“It is something that we need to learn to live with, and obviously having those rapid antigen tests … are the way forward.

“We need to be able to live safely with Covid.”

Mr Frydenberg said while the commonwealth was “picking up the bulk of the tab for testing arrangements”, he encouraged the states to “dig into their pockets”.

Asked if it was an option for rapid tests to be made free to Australians, Mr Frydenberg said the commonwealth was “looking through our options”.

“We want the states obviously to also do their fair share and start ordering some more of these rapid antigen tests,” he added.

People line up for hours for a test. Picture: Ian Currie

It comes as the state opposition called on the Victorian government to immediately suspend all advertising on major projects and instead funnel the money into creating mobile testing and vaccine hubs.

More than $7.7m was spent spruiking Victoria’s Big Build in the 2020-21 financial year, according to the Department of Transport annual report. Almost $1.9m of that went to promoting level crossings, while $560,000 was used to promote the trouble-plagued West Gate Tunnel project.

Advertisements on the Metro Tunnel, Regional Rail Revival and Sunbury Line Update cost the taxpayer over $1.5m, while $1.4m was used to promote the North East Link project.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy said taxpayer money should be put to better use to ensure people can enjoy a summer with minimal disruption.

Mr Guy said the current delays plaguing the system were “unacceptable”.

“With testing centres in chaos and vax hubs closed, Victorians aren’t getting the summer to recover they deserve,” he said.

“Mobile hubs can quickly and easily support communities where demand is highest and help keep us open and safe.

“Government spruiking of blown-out projects is not the priority, getting Victorians tested and vaccinated is.”