Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[HappyFlyerFamily]

But given that the AU approach is for people who test positive with a RAT to have a PCR to confirm, I am not sure there is a meaningful difference.

Interestingly this article suggesting that Qld might be (soon?) moving towards a sick as opposed to a mild symptom basis for PCR testing following a positive RAT.

Real Qld numbers ‘significantly higher’

Queensland’s daily Covid cases have accelerated to a new high of 6781 – though the real number is likely even greater – as frustrations boil over testing queue blowouts.

www.news.com.au

 

[antycbr]

Recently too many interstate travel PCR tests, then RATs introduced to deal with that, then pathology appear to need to change their methodology because of the high positivity rate.

The change in methodology is non-trivial. When only one in every 100 tests is positive you can batch groups together in blocks of say 10 and then retest within the one block of 10 to find the one positive. When one in three tests is positive, you have to test each and every sample.

 

[tgh]

Close friends have been on the Gold Coast where they reported mask wearing was minimal, whereas across the border in NSW is far more prevalent. They have both tested positive after a few days up there.

This is how we found Burleigh over Xmas, minimal masking and party on…
We ate out every night and most lunches and the 3 x visiting Cellar escapees were quite amazed at the carefree attitude.
Of our party of 7 my Grandson scored the short straw with a mild dose of Covid a few days after returning to the cellar.
Returning to Brisvegas and out and about masking was, and remains , quite disciplined

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

The change in methodology is non-trivial. When only one in every 100 tests is positive you can batch groups together in blocks of say 10 and then retest within the one block of 10 to find the one positive. When one in three tests is positive, you have to test each and every sample.

Thats what I took away from the reference/discussion. So would it be difficult to increase PCR capacity for some time? Given every jurisdiction will be/is already 16% (1 in 6) positivity.

 

[N860CR]

A quick question or discussion: when will testing numbers (in NSW and Vic) go back to a higher level again?

Recently too many interstate travel PCR tests, then RATs introduced to deal with that, then pathology appear to need to change their methodology because of the high positivity rate.

We must be getting close to the end of the 'holiday' season. Is there a pathway to getting back to higher testing capacity with reasonable results turnarounds?

Hopefully never. There is no longer justification for Medicare to fund hundreds of thousands of daily PCR tests because people are hysterical. This is an enormous waste of resources that can be used for more important issues.

We can’t say in one breath that the hospitals and staff are “overrun” but then have these state funded testing centres chewing space up.

 

[Pushka]

Just noticed Qld's almost 50% positivity rate (49.4%) - 6781 positives from 13772 tests.

It might mean simply that only people with symptoms are being tested.

Post automatically merged: Jan 5, 2022

Interestingly this article suggesting that Qld might be (soon?) moving towards a sick as opposed to a mild symptom basis for PCR testing following a positive RAT.

Real Qld numbers ‘significantly higher’

Queensland’s daily Covid cases have accelerated to a new high of 6781 – though the real number is likely even greater – as frustrations boil over testing queue blowouts.

www.news.com.au

Yes, commented on this in another thread. It's how we managed the swine flu epidemic eventually. And we do with seasonal flu.

 

[Quickstatus]

When only one in every 100 tests is positive you can batch groups together in blocks of say 10 and then retest within the one block of 10 to find the one positive. When one in three tests is positive, you have to test each and every sample.

Not batched - actually pooled.

I’ve posted a link about this.

 

[antycbr]

Thats what I took away from the reference/discussion. So would it be difficult to increase PCR capacity for some time? Given every jurisdiction will be/is already 16% (1 in 6) positivity.

I think you'll find the jurisdictions are a lot higher than that in terms of positivity...

e.g

NSW 35k/108k - 32%
QLD 7K/29K - 23%
TAS 867/2412 - 35%

The other thing that improved capacity back in August/September was that tests from outbreak states of NSW/VIC were being flown to BNE/ADL/PER labs to be processed. Aside from PER not possible now.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

But given that the AU approach is for people who test positive with a RAT to have a PCR to confirm, I am not sure there is a meaningful difference.

That may be the official approach, but many now only do a RATs.

If one has Covid symptoms and you test positive to a RATs there is for many no advantage in waiting in a queue for hours (that is if you can find somewhere open) and then waiting 3 to 6 days for a PCR result.

 

[oz_mark]

5 local cases in WA. (+11 related to returned travellers)

Ban on RATs to be lifted next week.

 

[antycbr]

5 local cases in WA. (+11 related to returned travellers)

Ban on RATs to be lifted next week.

RATs will be referred to as QUOKKAs for Western Australians.

 

[OATEK]

That may be the official approach, but many now only do a RATs.

If one has Covid symptoms and you test positive to a RATs there is for many no advantage in waiting in a queue for hours (that is if you can find somewhere open) and then waiting 3 to 6 days for a PCR result.

Well actually there is, because the clock starts ticking from the time of the PCR test, and not the RAT test. If you are involved with travel, or need to take leave from work etc, then the PCR is the "official" test for many.

I see a place for RAT tests, but they are limited in my view unless they are incorporated into the overall reporting system. As @Flashback mentioned, the UK ones have a QR code to upload the results. I have heard no similar plans here around that, although perhaps National Cabinet is in deep discussions as we speak. For now I view RATs as self protection rather than community protection.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

That may be the official approach, but many now only do a RATs.

If one has Covid symptoms and you test positive to a RATs there is for many no advantage in waiting in a queue for hours (that is if you can find somewhere open) and then waiting 3 to 6 days for a PCR result.

Perhaps if you want an official diagnosis and official recovery letter subsequently???

 

[Seat0B]

ACT records 810 cases of COVID-19

The ACT records 810 new cases of COVID-19 as demand for testing reaches unprecedented levels and health authorities announce a number of changes to how they will manage the ongoing pandemic.

www.abc.net.au

so now if you go to hospital in Canberra with a broken leg and ”mild COVID” you will be placed in the orthopaedic ward. I’d be pretty unhappy to be a patient in the next bed.

 

[jase05]

Sounds like Gutwein and Anna teamed together to make the PM backflip on free RAT’s

 

[Pushka]

Sounds like Gutwein and Anna teamed together to make the PM backflip on free RAT’s

10 free every 3 months with ID. Edited. Only for concession card holders.

 

[OATEK]

Well actually there is, because the clock starts ticking from the time of the PCR test, and not the RAT test. If you are involved with travel, or need to take leave from work etc, then the PCR is the "official" test for many.

I see a place for RAT tests, but they are limited in my view unless they are incorporated into the overall reporting system. As @Flashback mentioned, the UK ones have a QR code to upload the results. I have heard no similar plans here around that, although perhaps National Cabinet is in deep discussions as we speak. For now I view RATs as self protection rather than community protection.

Apparently I was right, and national cabinet was discussing this. It seems they have now said that where a close contact has a positive RAT test, they do not have to follow it up with a PCR test.

 

[andye]

ACT records 810 cases of COVID-19

The ACT records 810 new cases of COVID-19 as demand for testing reaches unprecedented levels and health authorities announce a number of changes to how they will manage the ongoing pandemic.

www.abc.net.au

so now if you go to hospital in Canberra with a broken leg and ”mild COVID” you will be placed in the orthopaedic ward. I’d be pretty unhappy to be a patient in the next bed.

I'm sure covid+ patients will still be isolated to side rooms with infection-control procedures. There are very few hospitals that will have sufficient negative pressure rooms for expected numbers though.

 

[Seat0B]

I'm sure covid+ patients will still be isolated to side rooms with infection-control procedures. There are very few hospitals that will have sufficient negative pressure rooms for expected numbers though.

Well I hope you’re right. Given how infectious the Omicron seems to be, it seems pretty risky to just lump COVID positive and COVID negative people together because they are both orthopaedic patients. Although I am not a doctor.

 

[N860CR]

10 free every 3 months with ID. Edited. Only for concession card holders.

So we provided welfare boosts to the unemployed last year, now provide RATs to concession card holders only? Seems like they’re pandering to a certain audience.