COVID-19 rapid testing hubs to be set up around Northern Territory land borders

CORONAVIRUS testing will be ramped up along the Northern Territory’s three land borders with ‘six or seven’ communities to be provided equipment able to turn around results in hours

Health Minister Natasha Fyles ... Ms Fyles has announced coronavirus testing will now be ramped up along the Northern Territory’s three land borders. Picture: Che Chorley

CORONAVIRUS testing will be ramped up along the Northern Territory’s three land borders with “six or seven” communities to be provided equipment able to turn results around in hours.

This “point of care” testing, announced by Health Minister Natasha Fyles on Friday morning, is part of the three-prong national plan that will help lift physical COVID-19 restrictions.

The territory will also ramp up “sentinel testing”, where authorities will be equipped to hone in on a community, suburb, or group of people to quickly identify if a cluster has formed.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles and Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie give an update on COVID-19 in the Northern Territory.

Posted by The NT News on Thursday, 16 April 2020

People who have suspicious cold or flu like symptoms will be tested regardless of if they’ve had contact with a suspected case.

It comes as the Northern Territory marked yet another day of zero positive coronavirus cases.

Ms Fyles confirmed of the 28 cases, 9 people have recovered and none of those remaining currently require intensive care.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, following the 13th national cabinet meeting on Thursday, outlined a test, trace and treat three-prong plan to allow for shutdowns to be lifted in four weeks.

Police check vehicles at the border of the Northern Territory and South Australia. Picture Chloe Erlich

This includes wider, extensive surveillance testing, greater tracing to crack down quickly on outbreaks and boosting local response capabilities to smother potential flare-ups of COVID-19.

Ms Fyles said the federal government wanted “point of care” COVID-19 testing within three hours of every community, but the reality of that would be difficult in the Top End.

Locations are yet to be determined.

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“We will work with the Federal Government to have (the testing hubs) best located to provide the best response,” she said.

Ms Fyles reiterated that while NT was in the best position in Australia, conditions in our neighbouring states of Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia would have to be taken into consideration and testing would be ramped up on their side of the border as well.