WA’s health department rectifies glaring error after publishing contradicting testing advice

A mistake on a Covid testing fact sheet sparked a wave of frustration among Western Australians after contradictory advice was given.

Western Australians have expressed frustration with confusing rules published in a state government fact sheet about Rapid Antigen Tests.

Residents pointed out contradictory advice in a WA Department of Health RAT Frequently Asked Questions document on Tuesday, noting a clear discrepancy regarding when a PCR test was required.

An image of the FAQ document was shared on Twitter by a woman who commented: “This is why no one knows what is going on.”

Part of the document stated a follow-up PCR test was not required if a positive RAT result was returned, while slightly further down the page, the opposite advice was given.

This is why no one knows what is going on pic.twitter.com/GrTYfXrZge

— Dr Vaxxedx3 Stip #cavewoman #BLM 🌈 🧶☠️ ☢️ (@drstip) March 8, 2022

“False positive test results can also occur from RATs, therefore anyone who returns a positive RAT result currently must immediately seek a follow-up Covid-19 PCR test and quarantine until a negative PCR result is received,” the contradictory advice read.

The conflicting information came at untimely point in the state’s outbreak management, with 3594 new cases being recorded on Wednesday.

The page was described a “head scratcher” and “totally confusing” by perplexed Twitter users.

A review of the fact sheet on Wednesday revealed that, since the mistake attracted negative attention online, it had been updated.

Speaking with news.com.au, a spokesperson for the WA Department of Health confirmed the page had been updated Tuesday afternoon to remove the contradictory information.

In the new document, the rule requiring a follow-up PCR from people who tested positive with a RAT was removed.

The spokesperson clarified members of the public were only required to undergo RAT testing and no rules were in place requiring a secondary PCR test.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan. Picture: NCA NewsWire/James Gourley

Updated information stipulated that “PCR tests are the most accurate method to confirm a Covid-19 diagnosis” and “RATs will complement but not replace PCR testing”.

PCR testing, according to the spokesperson, would be utilised in settings where there are high volumes of vulnerable people like hospitals and aged car facilities.

There was still some lingering confusion on the updated page however, given it informed readers that “testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) currently remains the preferred test for someone with symptoms of Covid-19”.

RAT testing was recommended for use before attending a large gathering like a wedding, visiting a vulnerable person, or a high-risk setting.