Free RATs as COVID curve flattens

Chief Public Well being Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier stated all South Australians can get 5 free RATs from assortment websites across the state to assist help testing through the present COVID-19 wave peak that she believed is nearing its finish.

As much as 500,000 kits will probably be out there at current RAT assortment factors, group centres, non-government organisations and unbiased incapacity residing services throughout the state to gather free-of-charge till the top of the yr.

Anybody is eligible to gather the free checks, which had been beforehand solely out there to shut contacts and concession holders and those that had registered.

Demand for RATs will probably be reviewed after December 31.

“The Authorities goes to make RATs extra available,” Spurrier stated.

“The enlargement of our free RAT distribution program will assist South Australians entry testing for themselves and members of their household to assist cut back unfold of the illness to others.

“As well as, the RAT program may even be expanded to immediately help emergency service volunteers and people residing and dealing in weak settings.”

She additionally stated devoted drive-through PCR testing services and RAT assortment websites are being closed after the vacation season on January 8 because the state is “seeking to transfer that again to a extra business-as-usual testing regime”.

After January 8, COVID-19 PCR testing will occur via GP referral at many current SA Pathology assortment centres, and a few personal suppliers may even proceed providing the service.

PCR testing will concentrate on these extra weak to COVID-19 problems, these older than 70 years of age or who’ve current well being issues.

Aged care services are being supplied with details about vaccine insurance policies for workers with a suggestion that masks be worn by employees and guests with the present heightened dangers.

The information comes as South Australia’s COVID-19 instances proceed to rise with 9000 new instances reported previously week and 140 individuals with COVID-19 in hospital, together with 11 sufferers in intensive care. SA Well being reported one other eight South Australians have died from COVID-related problems.

Deaths reported previously week could not have occurred within the week they’re reported.

SA Well being figures present there have been 6601 energetic instances within the state at midnight final evening, with instances greater than doubling previously 4 weeks.

Final week there have been 8346 COVID-19 reported instances, up from 6867 instances the week earlier than and 3797 instances three weeks in the past.

Nevertheless, Spurrier says the case curve is flattening shortly.

“We had a steep improve (in instances) after which we’ve simply flattened off and we’re actually flattening off now,” Spurrier stated.

“I’d be saying that we’re getting in the direction of the height.

“Till we really see the case numbers come down, I can’t let you know and formally say that we’re on the peak, however we’re definitely at that prime and at that plateau, which is clearly excellent news.”

As case numbers go down, Spurrier stated additional recommendation on mask-wearing will probably be supplied, with modelling exhibiting there’s a probability one other wave may happen in February subsequent yr.

“What we do know is we may have successive waves of COVID and they’ll get smaller and smaller,” she stated.

“Finally the expectation is… that we’ll begin to see some seasonality like we do with flu, however which will take numerous years.”

Prior to now week, 25,178 individuals acquired a PCR take a look at in South Australia, a 21 per cent improve on the earlier week. Of the take a look at outcomes returned, 4162 PCR checks had been constructive, whereas 4184 constructive RAT outcomes had been reported.

Presently, 96.5 per cent of eligible South Australians aged over 12 years have acquired their first dose of the vaccine and 94.6 per cent have acquired their second dose.

Boosters have been administered to 75.5 per cent of eligible South Australians and 71.6 per cent of South Australians aged over 16.

Regardless of the rise in infections, a survey of 1000 Australian adults by Pfizer this month exhibits nearly two-thirds of Australians consider the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind them.

One in three individuals is much less prone to get examined once they have signs now in contrast with a yr in the past.

– with AAP