People across the region queue for hours for a PCR test
MARGARET DEKKER
Across the region, across the festive season, patience and patients have been tested as countless people queued for hours in cars or on foot at testing centres from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads in pursuit of a PCR test, formally clearing or confirming Covid-19 for either personal, infectiousness or travel purposes.
As numbers swelled in the lead up to Christmas and New Year, most testing centres closed hours earlier than advertised in order to process existing queues; one centre in Byron Bay reportedly turned away people seeking ‘tourism testing’.
Blow outs in wait times for pathology results (more than 100 hours) further frustrated people and compromised the purpose of the test while impacting much-anticipated Christmas/NY gatherings and Queensland travel plans.
Up until Saturday (January 1) the Queensland Government required a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of entry into the state in order to cross the border. Delays in PCR results also saw Tweed caravan parks full of frustrated travellers.
“40 or 50 people have been caught short and needed somewhere to stay”, Andrew Illingworth, Tweed Holiday Parks manager said.
The line up at the Fever Clinic at Tweed Hospital was also long, snaking around Solander Street.
“It’s the same frustration today at Tweed hospital. We got there at 7am and they are saying it’s already a 6+ hour wait for those at the back of the line,” one woman posted to social media.
At 4Cyte Pathology at Tweed Heads South, police were on hand to manage traffic off main Minjungbal Drive as vehicles endured lengthy wait times, inching the length of Rivendell Drive to get tested.
By New Year’s, the Australian Government changed its advice on close contacts and testing requirements, in response to stretched to breaking pathology services.
PCR testing is now limited to those who have symptoms and/or have tested positive on a Rapid Antigen Test and require confirmation and for household contacts or those who’ve had 4+ hours contact with a positive person.
For all other covid concerns, Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) must be used; creating new problems in availability and cost, with the Government shifting the onus to the individual, with the potential to create an access divide.
In a media release, the Perrotet Government said it will procure Rapid Antigen Test kits.
“And make them available for free to people across the State, to give additional options to people and allow those who need to get a PCR test to do so,” it stated on December 29.
The date for when RATs will be made free has not been released, as across the Northern Rivers, people search and scramble for supply.
One woman posted on a Tweed community Facebook page: “Does anyone know of anywhere that has rapid antigen tests in stock? I know they’re sold out basically everywhere but I am feeling rather desperate so I’m trying anything and everything. Thank you!”
Service stations have joined supermarkets, independent grocers and pharmacies in selling Rapid Antigen Test kits with prices for a single test now skyrocketing, up to $32 (Tweed Coast) with evidence of price-gouging due to desperate supply and demand issues.
“$40 tonight. Crazy how they are increasing the price based off need .. Anyway I am the proud new owner of a kit!” Mary C. posted on Facebook.
“Pack of 5 was $55 a few days ago now $65, disgusting trying to profit out of Covid,” another wrote.
