Heatwave to shut Victorian Covid testing sites adding more pressure

Victoria’s severe heatwave is expected to force Covid testing sites to close, adding stress to an already overwhelmed system.

Victoria is in for a severe heatwave and it is expected to make the state’s already overwhelmed Covid testing system even worse.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting temperatures of 38C on New Year’s Eve and 36C on New Year’s Day in Melbourne.

Temperatures had already tipped over 35C by 2.30pm on Thursday in some areas of the state.

Nhill and Warracknabeal in Victoria’s Wimmera region, and Hopetoun in the Mallee, recorded 35.8C.

Melbourne Airport recorded 33.1C and at Olympic Park it was 28.9C.

A burst of heat over New Year's with Severe Heatwave conditions across #Victoria@VicGovDH has issued a Heat Health Alert for the Central district, including #Melbourne

Heat kills more Australians than any natural disaster

Find out more: https://t.co/XwNgMfuP8kpic.twitter.com/gw3xbo6WW3

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 29, 2021

Victoria’s chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton has warned some Covid testing sites may need to close over the next three days due to excessive heat, particularly ones in outdoor tents.

In his daily update, Prof Sutton explained temperatures inside the tents can rise even 10C higher and testing staff work in full PPE.

It is added stress to a system that is already struggling with high demand.

There were 29 testing sites in Victoria that had closed by 2pm on Thursday because they were over capacity.

Victoria recorded 5137 new cases on Wednesday and 13 deaths. The state processed 81,093 tests.

There are currently more than 20,700 active close contacts in isolation.

Testing sites in outdoor tents like this one at Albert Park are likely to close due to heat. Picture: David Crosling/NCA NewsWire

On Wednesday, infectious disease experts told news.com.au Australia needed a testing overhaul to help fix the overwhelmed system.

Infectious disease specialist Professor Ben Marais, from the University of Sydney, said the huge queues at testing sites were a big concern as they created a transmission risk.

Epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely, from the University of Melbourne, said an overhaul on how we do testing was needed “because we’re in a different phase with more infection”.

Prof Blakely suggested a triage system at testing sites using government stocks of rapid antigen tests strategically to lighten the load.

“Those sort of things reduce the demand on the testing so we can get the best bang for buck, which means getting people through the queue fast and safely, and getting the results back to people fast within 24 hours so it’s more effective at dampening transmission,” he said.

Cars line up for Covid testing at Albert Park on Thursday. Picture: Ian Currie/NCA NewsWire

What to do if you need to get tested

Before you go to get tested, check the website to make sure it is open.

If you have to get tested (because you have symptoms or you’re a contact) and you are unable to access a PCR testing site, you should stay isolated until you can get tested.

If you are getting a PCR test, plan ahead. You may have to travel further. Major indoor sites will still be able to operate.

Remember the dangers of sitting in hot weather in your car for long periods. Young children, the elderly, people with medical conditions and pets are at higher risk of harm.

Take regular sips of water to keep rehydrated. Heat can cause illnesses that may be life-threatening.

If you don’t have symptoms and aren’t a contact, and just want to check if you may have Covid-19, then use a Rapid Antigen Test.