Live: Millions of rapid tests coming to Australia as national cabinet considers subsidies

By Dannielle Maguire

COVID numbers around the states

If your state is not listed yet, it’s because we haven’t been given that information.

• The ACT – 810 new cases. Cases being treated in hospital: 16 ICU: 1
• NSW – 35,054 new cases, eight deaths. Cases being treated in hospital: 1,491 ICU: 119. Press conference: Watch it here
• NT – 117 new cases. Cases being treated in hospital: 21 ICU: 5
• Queensland – 6,781 new cases. Cases being treated in hospital: 265 ICU: 10 Press conference: Watch it here
• SA – 3,493 new cases. Cases being treated in hospital: 125 ICU: 12 Press conference: Watch it here
• Tasmania – 867 new cases. There are five cases in hospital, but have been admitted for non-related medical reasons. Press conference: Watch it here
• Victoria – 17,636 new cases, 11 deaths. Cases being treated in hospital: 591 ICU: 106 (53 active cases, 53 cleared). Press conference: Watch it here
• WA

COVID testing delays expected to continue for weeks

Australians are being warned to expect long COVID-19 testing queues and wait times for at least several more weeks, as pathology labs continue to be hit by huge demand and staff shortages around the country. 

Driving the surge in cases is the highly transmissible Omicron variant, with New South Wales today recording 35,054 cases and Victoria 17,636, both significant spikes compared to previous days.

Medical experts suggest there are now many COVID cases not included in the official daily figures due to difficulties in accessing PCR testing. 

Despite pleas from leaders to only get a traditional PCR test if you’re identified as a close contact, have symptoms, or have tested positive on a rapid antigen test, the growing case numbers means there’s been little let-up at testing sites because the number of people who fit that criteria remains large. 

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NT: Don’t go to an emergency room if you’ve got a scratchy throat

That’s the advice from NT Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie, who reminded people that Triple 0 was for emergencies only. 

He gave examples about when people should call an ambulance, such as in the case of breathlessness and faintness. 

“That’s about persevering our resources for good reason,” he said. 

NT: Where can people get RAT tests if they need one?

Health Minister Natasha Fyles say they can leave isolation to go to a testing site to collect a rapid antigen test for free. 

And, if need be, they might be given a PCR test instead. 

She says people should call the COVID hotline on 1800 490 484 if they need more advice. 

NT: We’ve got enough RAT tests

Health Minister Natasha Fyles says the territory has a “sustainable supply” of rapid antigen tests to give to people free of charge.

But that’s only for people required by the territory to take a RAT test. 

She says she’s aware there are shortages of the testing kits on supermarket shelves, however. 

“They are a precious resource, so please only use them if [you’re] required to, [they’re] not for a ‘worried well’, so to speak,” she said.

Where to watch the NT presser

I’m sorry to say we don’t have a YouTube live stream for the NT press conference today, so this Facebook link is the best I can do. 

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The NT records 117 new cases

There are 21 people in hospital with COVID across the NT, including five in intensive care and one person on a ventilator.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said a “very young baby” who has COVID and is “seriously unwell” has been transferred with her mother to Royal Darwin Hospital.

SA: Hospitalisation rates expected to be lower

So SA Premier Steven Marshall says that, with the Delta strain, it was estimated there’d be about 5 per cent of cases in hospital.

“We’d been working at around 1 per cent in terms of Omicron,” he said. 

“But the data in South Australia would suggest it’s 0.5 per cent so there is some upside. 

“But the problem is 0.5 of a very large number is still a very large number.

“And that’s why we’ve got to space those cases out and that’s why we’ve got those restrictions in place and that’s why we’re asking people to go and have that vaccination.”

SA: COVID restrictions won’t be eased any time soon 

Mr Marshall was asked if the state’s transition committee would be looking at changing density limits.

“We’re not near the peak at the moment, so it’s very unlikely that there’d be any relaxation of restrictions in the coming weeks,” he said. 

SA: Expecting to get a million RAT tests per week

SA Premier Steven Marshall says there’s “no shortage in South Australia whatsoever”. 

He said a “big shipment” of the rapid antigen testing kits had arrived yesterday. 

“We’re expecting around a million rapid antigen tests for use within the state system every single week from now on,” he said.

“We’re very satified with that.”

SA: Six of the 12 people in ICU are unvaccinated

SA Premier Steven Marshall says this proves how essential it is for people to go out and get vaccinated. 

“Vaccination is crucial… and those boosters,” he said. 

SA: ‘We’re evolving to RAT tests’

Mr Marshall says that only symptomatic people will be getting PCR tests in the coming days. 

And close contacts will be able to take rapid antigen tests but will have to log their restuls. 

Mr Marshall says anyone with symptoms should go get a PCR test. 

SA: Testing increases despite site closures

SA Premier Steven Marshall says that while four private labs were closed, other sites increased testing numbers. 

There were 21,097 tests conducted yesterday.

Mr Marshall said that the state says a reduction in lab processing time “by a couple of hours”.

Of the four sites that closed, two have reopened, he said. 

SA records 3,493 new cases

SA Premier Steven Marshall says it’s a “slight uptick” over the last couple of days, but not the rapid rise other states have been seeing. 

There are 125 people being treated in hospital, 12 in intensive care, one of whom is on a ventilator. 

But Mr Marshall says the health system can handle this. 

Where to watch the SA presser

Gosh, everyone’s chiming in today!

TAS: This wave will pass

But Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein says it’ll be a couple of weeks.

“I know this is challenging,” he said. 

“We’re moving to living with COVID.”

… and then the stream cut out. 

TAS: Quarantine scrapped for international arrivals from midnight 

They’ll still have to meet vaccination requirements and get tested before travel, though. 

TAS: If you’re a close contact, RAT tests are free

Don’t shell out for a test if you’re supposed to take one under the national definition of close contacts. 

The government is covering that cost!

TAS: ‘Be aware that COVID is around’

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein says people need to keep up their hand-washing, mask use and social distancing measures.

Oh, and make sure you cover all coughs and sneezes.  

TAS: ‘All Tasmanians need to be monitoring for symptoms’

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein says that if any symptoms do turn up, they should go ahead and get a PCR test. 

He said the average wait time for tests was about “about 40 minutes at the moment”.

“But please be patient,” he said. 

Just quietly: 40 minutes?! Nice for some!