Under new pandemic orders that come into effect at 11.59pm on Thursday night, January 6, people who test positive on a rapid antigen test (RAT) will be considered probable cases and be subject to the same requirements as confirmed cases from a PCR test — they must isolate immediately for seven days and notify their contacts.
Echuca and Moama pharmacies are waiting on orders for rapid antigen tests to be filled as frustrated community members are forced to wait hours in line at the Rotary Park PCR testing site.
It will be mandatory to report the result of a positive RAT to the Department of Health through an online form or by phone — ensuring people can access the care and information they need, including monitoring for worsening symptoms and financial support for isolation.
The Rose St PCR testing location is supposed to be operational from 8am until 1.30pm, but there have been reports of people lining up for tests from as early as 5am.
Until RATs are in increased supply, Victorians who have symptoms, or asymptomatic household contacts required to use RATs, can still get a PCR test if they cannot access RATs.
Case numbers in Victoria and NSW have continued to rise, with far-reaching concerns that because of the delay in testing availability — and lack of RATs — the figures are even higher than reported.
Victorian yesterday recorded 21,997 cases, while NSW had 34,994 new cases.
At the Meninya St Pharmacy in Moama, like everywhere else in the region, the rapid antigen test shelves are empty.
Pharmacist Mark Nulty said his store had been out of stock for a week.
“We are like everyone. We’ve got an order from five or six different sources for the tests,” he said.
“It is mainly a logistical problem and there is a change of circumstances every day.
“It could be a couple of weeks before we see the tests and then this ‘panic’ will have subsided.”
There is a parallel being drawn in many circles between the search for rapid antigen tests and the rush to supermarkets during lockdowns for toilet paper and food supplies.
Mr Nulty said it was not only the RATs that were creating issues for pharmacists attempting to service the demands, and needs, of customers.
“We are in the same situation with the boosters. The stock we had expired at the end of December and we are waiting for more to come in,” he said.
The pharmacy is also playing a waiting game for the vaccine for children aged five to 11 years, which is also expected to arrive within the next two weeks.
“Unfortunately everything is being over Christmas, when most things slow down,” he said.
“A large portion of truckers seem to be affected by COVID, which in turn slows the distribution process.”
He said, based only on reports, that concession card holders would receive rapid antigen tests once the rollout started.
“How they will co-ordinate that is beyond me,” he said.
Mr Nulty predicted the panic buying of RATs at several locations would subside and in three or four weeks people would not be as desperate to secure the tests.
“If people are worried about catching COVID they should stay at home as best they can,” he said.
