Coronavirus testing advertisement causes general practitioner concerns

An advertisement for private coronavirus testing by a Tasmanian business has sparked concerns from local GPs.

THE advertising for coronavirus testing by an independent Tasmanian business has sparked concerns from local general practitioners.

The business recently posted on social media that it was offering COVID-19 testing

“Yes that’s right! We are now running tests for COVID-19,” the post read.

“With the growing need and demand for availability of testing coronavirus, the functional medicine labs that I work with have now resealed a nasopharyngeal swab performed by PCR testing which is currently the accepted method by the state departments of health.

“This test can be done at home, so I can post out to out-of-town clients, including those living in other states of Australia. Results will be back within 24 hours.”

The post was met with concerns from Tasmanian doctors who questioned the business’s medical accreditation.

“I note that they don’t seem to have National Association of Testing Authorities accreditation and a concern may be that some of the tests they do may be proprietary,” Huon Valley general practitioner Bastian Seidel said.

“This is a public health emergency for Tasmania, Australia and the world. As a community we all need to work together to support the public health authorities who work so hard to keep our communities safe.

“We are all free to offer our views and opinions on how we can test and treat patients. But our views should always be informed by evidence, logic and common sense.

Australian Medical Association Tasmania branch president John Burgess agreed.

“The main thing with testing is it has to be appropriately approved,” he said.

“It needs to be quite clear if it’s validated or approved.

“It can give people a false sense of security and be highly dangerous if someone receives a negative result against an unvalidated test and think they’re in the clear. They will risk spreading the virus unwittingly.”

MORE OF TODAY’S NEWS:

HOSPITAL HOTSPOTS FORCED TO CLOSE

GET GOING ON NEW BRIDGE PROJECT, SAYS RACT

MORE THAN 100 FACE CHARGES FOR ROAMING

The owner of the business offering the testing said the testing was endorsed by a Victorian-based privately owned medical laboratory.

The owner said no tests had been undertaken.

If you think you might have COVID-19, phone your GP or the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 straight away.

[e-mail]