Australians urged not to show up to COVID-19 test sites, hospitals unless necessary

As hospitals and COVID-19 testing clinics face surging demand across Australia, people are being encouraged to manage the virus at home and take rapid antigen tests unless given advice to get a PCR test.

A sign shows a Covid-19 testing site as people queue outside Alfred Hospital on 22 December 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. Source: Getty Images

As surging COVID-19 infections put Australia’s healthcare system under significant strain, state governments are asking people to reconsider their need for PCR tests, ambulances and presence at emergency departments.

 

New South Wales is experiencing staggering wait times at COVID-19 testing clinics and delays of up to three days for test results as the state hit a national record of 6,394 daily cases on Boxing Day.

NSW recorded 6,324 COVID-19 infections and three deaths on Monday.

Premier Dominic Perrottet on Sunday asked that only those with symptoms of the virus and interstate travellers requiring a negative COVID-19 result line up to get a PCR test.

Wait times to receive test results are typically between 48 and 72 hours, according to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, with some people waiting even longer.

On Sunday, it was revealed that more than 400 people in Sydney were incorrectly told they had tested negative to COVID-19 but were positive for the virus.

 

 

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet addresses media during a press conference in Sydney, Thursday, December 23, 2021. Source: AAP

[node_list