Palm Island to use rapid antigen tests to combat Covid-10 outbreak

Palm Island will move to almost exclusively use rapid antigen tests in a bid to stop the virus spreading further through the vulnerable community.

PALM Island will move to almost exclusively use rapid antigen tests (RAT) in a bid to stop the virus spreading further through the vulnerable community.

The new plan has been put in place to help limit transmission rates after another five cases of Covid-19 were recorded, bringing the tally to 12.

Late Wednesday night it was confirmed a Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council staff member who worked at Sandy Boyd, the island’s aged care facility, had tested positive.

Palm Island Mayor Mislam Sam said the decision to move to RATs came after waiting days for PCR tests results to be returned.

He said this was no fault of the pathology staff, but just a response to the high demand for testing across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service area.

“The whole Townsville Hospital and Health Service has been swamped,” Cr Sam said.

Palm Island Mayor Mislam Sam.

But, the community needed accurate, fast data to help protect vulnerable people.

“The problems I’ve been confronted with is we’re overcrowded, underlying health conditions and low vaccination rates,” Cr Sam said.

“That is why it’s good we've got some (RATs) so we can start isolating people that become positive.

“That is a good win for us this week.”

He said moving to use rapid antigen tests would help stem infection rates.

Cr Sam said the Elders on the island were scared.

“They know that they are really vulnerable, with underlying health conditions … and we don’t have that many compared to other communities,” he said.

“Our thing is always going to be protecting the Elders first, they are the ones that are the highest risk category.”

Rapid antigen test. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cr Sam said a lot of phone calls had been made to help secure the island more RATs.

“We needed them desperately, especially around the aged care facility,” he said.

“(For) frontline staff in general we want to try and get on top of these infection rates.”

Palm Island recorded its first case of Covid-19 on Friday, with the pregnant woman expected to be released from isolation this week – pending further test results.

Cr Sam said health authorities had been working hard on the island to test as many people as possible, with more than 280 swabs collected on Wednesday.

He said staff were working hard in the unforgiving heat.

Palm Island Community Company staff will also be going door-to-door to vaccinate people too.

Cr Sam called on people to limit their movement, get tested and get vaccinated.

In a message to the community, he also encouraged those flouting the rules to do their bit to protect the community.

Originally published as Palm Island to use rapid antigen tests to combat Covid-10 outbreak