If you think pathology in any of our states are capable of handling in excess of 150,000 tests per day without using interstate capacity then you are very sorely mistaken. It may not be ideal but it is reality.
WA was handling Victorian tests during peak periods of 2020.
No, I don't expect any State could without contingency planning.
The inability to process the tests promptly has existed for over a month now & nothing has been done to increase NSW's processing capacity.
A bit like the Federal medical stockpile not being fully replenished in late 2019 (as part of an attempt to generate a budget surplus) over $150m of purchasing was deferred to the 2020/21 Financial Year - you'd hope the lesson would have been learnt from early 2020.
NSW using all existing machines (public & private) 24 x 7 can only process in the low 60,000s per day.
NSW did not plan for the possibility of a major outbreak, nor that it could impact other States and did not increase NSW's capacity since the Ruby Princess outbreak was finally resolved.
The thinking was that the private sector, within the State, would be able to cope as 'Contact tracing can handle it'. The private sector would not expand capacity without being underwritten by the State Govt. State Govt didn't do that. Even the failure of Federal outsourcing to the private sector for vaccination of Aged & Disability Care facility residents & workers - didn't prompt a rethink.
Despite this now being a serious issue making contact tracing a 'seen to be done' exercise as they are so far behind the game - as The Hunter is demonstrating - the NSW Govt has not announced any additional capacity being created in NSW. A case of being "Penny wise but pound foolish." ?
With the expansion of 'hot LGAs' the daily surveillance test numbers will only increase further, creating longer delays, leading to more people working while infectious creating the worst possible vicious circle. Is that why there has been such a reluctance to expand the LGAs listed until today?
At the same time the breakthrough cases in staff at Liverpool hospital illustrates how crucial prompt processing is parramount - deaths now at 7 sadly.
The strain is becoming increasingly evident with NSW Health reports/updates getting more & more delayed, the main web page for NSW '
Venues of concern' has not been updated since July 31st (for example). Some venues no longer get listed at all as our local MP got formally advised by NSW Health over the 'Royal Randwick Shopping Centre' cases - it was visted by two separate CV+ve cases (followed up MP over suggestion it may have been a false +ve).
New cases in the SouthEast were around 79/week through July and the last 3 days = 80. Sydney LHD had 60 cases just today. Not getting any media coverage though.
This is the latest available report from NSW Health - ending July 24th.
www.health.nsw.gov.au
