Tasmania will shortly be moving to rapid antigen testing as the primary diagnostic tool to detect cases of COVID-19 and full details will be provided tomorrow at a COVID press conference.
Rapid antigen tests (RAT), if required to be used under our rules because you are symptomatic or a designated close contact, will be free to anyone within Tasmania in the same way that PCR testing has been and will continue to be.
Following yesterday’s decision of National Cabinet to change testing requirements, I have received advice from the Department of Health recommending that people who test positive on a rapid antigen test will be considered as a case of COVID-19 and be subject to the same requirements as cases confirmed by a PCR test.
Anyone who is symptomatic or a close contact of a COVID-19 case should contact the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 to arrange to collect a RAT or to book to undertake a PCR test at a Testing Clinic. Bookings for PCR tests are also available on line.
If you test positive on a RAT, you must register your positive test result either through the Public Health Hotline or preferably online through the following link www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/covid-care which will be available from 7.00pm tonight.
People who already have a positive RAT result in recent days will be able to use this registration mechanism to identify themselves as a case and to obtain assistance.
This will ensure you can access assistance from Public Health Services and the COVID@home team during your illness if required.
Proof of registration of your result will also be used for financial assistance requests and leave applications if you are an employee. Anyone that registers a positive RAT result will receive the same support and care as if you tested positive on a PCR test, but you must register your RAT so that we can identify you and record your case.
Importantly, PCR testing will still remain available for people who cannot access a RAT, are unable to use a RAT, or are having trouble interpreting a RAT result as well as anyone clinically directed to have a PCR test.
Tasmania’s PCR testing capacity will continue to be maintained to continue responding to the current level of transmission.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee is meeting today to further consider the role of PCR testing in this outbreak including the identification of categories of people or settings that may be identified for priority PCR testing at first instance. More information will be available on this tomorrow.
The Government has secured an increased supply of RATs and a statewide distribution model is being finalised to ensure people who are symptomatic and close contacts can access these widely around the State including in regional locations.
In coming weeks, pharmacists will also be distributing RATs to specified concession card holders that are not symptomatic or close contacts.
Given the National Cabinet decisions on RAT distribution, Tasmania will no longer pursue a contract with Australia Post for RAT distribution. We thank the Australia Post representatives for their offer of assistance and support during this outbreak.
RATs will no longer be distributed at airports and seaports in Tasmania from midnight tonight but will continue to be available for free to anyone who develops symptoms or becomes a close contact of a positive case.
Further information will be provided tomorrow at a COVID press conference in relation to this significant testing change.