Authorities looking at 'scaling up' coronavirus testing capabilities around the country
4 years, 10 months ago

Authorities looking at 'scaling up' coronavirus testing capabilities around the country

ABC  

Health authorities have been examining ways to scale up the capacity to provide testing for the coronavirus to ensure rapid tests are available across the country if needed. Key points: Coronavirus tests in Australia currently only take place in public health laboratories Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy says there are now plans to "scale up" testing capabilities around the country Professor Murphy says private laboratories may start testing so that public labs are not overwhelmed Commonwealth chief medical officer Brendan Murphy told 7.30 authorities were looking at ways of expanding the availability of the test to private laboratories. "At the moment, because this is a new test — it's only just been really set up — we set them up in the public health laboratories," he said. Professor Brendan Murphy says he does not want government-run laboratories to be overwhelmed with coronavirus testing. "But we are now in advanced planning with the pathology sector to work out how we can scale up," he said, "because the public health laboratories will reach a capacity point."

Coronavirus Test Tests Testing Murphy Laboratories Professor Murphy Brendan Murphy  coronavirus  country  public  scale  looking  capabilities  murphy  authorities  laboratories  tests  private  testing  test  health  scaling

History of this topic

Ramp up Covid testing to stay alert: Centre to states
1 year, 9 months ago

Ramp up Covid testing to stay alert: Centre to states

Hindustan Times  

The Union government on Saturday directed states to increase testing for Covid-19 as per the World Health Organization’s guidelines to effectively check any increase in its spread, people familiar with the matter said. “In the past several weeks, in some states Covid-19 testing has declined and the current testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by WHO,” …

Government drops self testing and quarantine for coronavirus
1 year, 9 months ago

Government drops self testing and quarantine for coronavirus

Dutch News  

The cabinet on Friday agreed to scrap the last of the coronavirus measures currently in place, dropping the self-test requirement if people have complaints as well as the remaining quarantine measures. ‘By ending the last of the coronavirus measures, we are leaving behind an extraordinary period, and one which we will not forget quickly,’ Kuipers said. The public health institute …

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide
1 year, 10 months ago

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide

Dutch News  

Coronavirus experts have advised against another round of vaccinations this spring because there is enough immunity in the population from previous vaccines or infections. The advisers will decide later in the year whether there should be another booster round in the autumn, when the peak season for coronavirus infections begins. Doctors should still be able to prescribe a vaccine for …

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide
1 year, 10 months ago

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide

Dutch News  

Coronavirus experts have advised against another round of vaccinations this spring because there is enough immunity in the population from previous vaccines or infections. The advisers will decide later in the year whether there should be another booster round in the autumn, when the peak season for coronavirus infections begins. Doctors should still be able to prescribe a vaccine for …

FDA authorises first ever flu-Covid home test
1 year, 10 months ago

FDA authorises first ever flu-Covid home test

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Lucira COVID-19 & Flu Home test, which can …

Coronavirus test centres can close, self-testing can stop, advisors say
1 year, 10 months ago

Coronavirus test centres can close, self-testing can stop, advisors say

Dutch News  

The government’s coronavirus advisory team says mass testing at regional centres can be wound down and that the recommendation to use self tests if people have symptoms can be dropped. In its 146th set of recommendations since the pandemic began three years ago, the Outbreak Management Team says the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and its sub variants is now …

Coronavirus test centres can close, self-testing can stop, advisors say
1 year, 10 months ago

Coronavirus test centres can close, self-testing can stop, advisors say

Dutch News  

The government’s coronavirus advisory team says mass testing at regional centres can be wound down and that the recommendation to use self tests if people have symptoms can be dropped. In its 146th set of recommendations since the pandemic began three years ago, the Outbreak Management Team says the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and its sub variants is now …

Large-scale Covid testing no longer necessary; Pandemic now “endemic,” says outbreak team
1 year, 10 months ago

Large-scale Covid testing no longer necessary; Pandemic now “endemic,” says outbreak team

NL Times  

Large-scale testing for coronavirus is no longer necessary, said the Outbreak Management Team in its latest advice to the Cabinet. Measures against coronavirus should be equated as much as possible with "generic measures" that already apply to other respiratory infections, the OMT advised. "That is generally no longer necessary in the current epidemiological phase," said the OMT. The OMT said …

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount
2 years, 2 months ago

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount

Dutch News  

Everyone over the age of 12 is now being invited to sign up for another coronavirus vaccination, the health ministry has confirmed. With covid infections once again on the rise, health officials say getting the top-up jabs will help slow the spread of the virus. People aged 40 to 60 can make an appointment via website planjeprik.nl next week, while …

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount
2 years, 2 months ago

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount

Dutch News  

Everyone over the age of 12 is now being invited to sign up for another coronavirus vaccination, the health ministry has confirmed. With covid infections once again on the rise, health officials say getting the top-up jabs will help slow the spread of the virus. People aged 40 to 60 can make an appointment via website planjeprik.nl next week, while …

Covid-19 alert level increases as infections grow by 24%; Hospital total at 6-month high
2 years, 2 months ago

Covid-19 alert level increases as infections grow by 24%; Hospital total at 6-month high

NL Times  

Coronavirus infections diagnosed in the Netherlands jumped to their highest point in 11 weeks, and waste water surveillance suggested the new wave of infections will continue to worsen, the RIVM said on Tuesday. Coronavirus infections increasing fast Some 23,693 people tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus during the seven-day period that ended on Tuesday morning, the RIVM said. In nursing …

More coronavirus patients admitted to hospital, positive tests rise 55%
2 years, 3 months ago

More coronavirus patients admitted to hospital, positive tests rise 55%

Dutch News  

The number of coronavirus patients admitted to hospital has risen sharply over the past seven days and positive tests are also going up, public health institute RIVM said in its weekly Tuesday update. Over 19,000 positive tests were also recorded by regional health centres, a rise of 55% on a week ago. The figures do not reflect the true number …

More coronavirus patients admitted to hospital, positive tests rise 55%
2 years, 3 months ago

More coronavirus patients admitted to hospital, positive tests rise 55%

Dutch News  

The number of coronavirus patients admitted to hospital has risen sharply over the past seven days and positive tests are also going up, public health institute RIVM said in its weekly Tuesday update. Over 19,000 positive tests were also recorded by regional health centres, a rise of 55% on a week ago. The figures do not reflect the true number …

If exposed to the coronavirus, take 3 home tests to boost accuracy, FDA now says
2 years, 4 months ago

If exposed to the coronavirus, take 3 home tests to boost accuracy, FDA now says

LA Times  

Boxes of rapid coronavirus tests are displayed for sale at a drugstore. People screening themselves at home should use three tests to more accurately detect the virus, according to new FDA recommendations. If you were exposed to the coronavirus, take three home tests instead of two to make sure you’re not infected, according to new U.S. recommendations released Thursday. But …

Coronavirus Today: The isolation conundrum
2 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus Today: The isolation conundrum

LA Times  

I’m Karen Kaplan, and it’s Tuesday, Aug 9. A study of 729 people who took a BinaxNow antigen test at least five days after becoming infected found that 54% of them tested positive, even though, by the CDC’s standards, enough time had passed that their isolation could end. “A positive antigen test result does not necessarily mean that a person …

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow

Dutch News  

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands has risen for the third week in a row, and more people have been admitted to a hospital intensive care ward, public health institute RIVM said on Tuesday. Warnings On Monday, the Netherlands’ two biggest employers’ organisations made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus …

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow

Dutch News  

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands has risen for the third week in a row, and more people have been admitted to a hospital intensive care ward, public health institute RIVM said on Tuesday. Warnings On Monday, the Netherlands’ two biggest employers’ organisations made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus …

Coronavirus infections rise 64% in a week as Omicron variants take hold
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 64% in a week as Omicron variants take hold

Dutch News  

The number of positive coronavirus tests registered with public health institute RIVM rose 64% over the past seven days to 15,526. The rise in official positive tests is probably connected to two new Omicron variants which are ‘gaining ground’ in the Netherlands, the RIVM said. The RIVM is monitoring the spread of the virus via traces in waste water, and …

About 350 Covid-19 patients in hospitals; Only 1,400 tested daily for coronavirus
2 years, 7 months ago

About 350 Covid-19 patients in hospitals; Only 1,400 tested daily for coronavirus

NL Times  

Hospitals in the Netherlands were treating 354 patients with Covid-19 on Monday. That was 21 percent lower than a week earlier, when 447 people were receiving treatment for the disease, figures from the LCPS showed. The RIVM said on Tuesday that 7,088 people tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus during the preceding seven days. The GGD found 619 people who …

Pandemic gets tougher to track as COVID testing plunges
2 years, 7 months ago

Pandemic gets tougher to track as COVID testing plunges

LA Times  

Testing for coronavirus infections has plummeted across the globe, making it much tougher for scientists to track the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and spot new, worrisome viral variants as they emerge and spread. “We’re not testing anywhere near where we might need to,” said Dr. Krishna Udayakumar, who directs the Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University. At a …

Experts worry about how US will see next Covid-19 surge coming
2 years, 9 months ago

Experts worry about how US will see next Covid-19 surge coming

India Today  

As coronavirus infections rise in some parts of the world, experts are watching for a potential new COVID-19 surge in the U.S. — and wondering how long it will take to detect. Despite disease monitoring improvements over the last two years, they say, some recent developments don’t bode well: —As more people take rapid COVID-19 tests at home, fewer people …

Experts fear U.S. won’t see next COVID surge coming
2 years, 9 months ago

Experts fear U.S. won’t see next COVID surge coming

LA Times  

Firefighters collect samples of sewage water to measure coronavirus concentrations in Marseille, France. As coronavirus infections rise in some parts of the world, experts are watching for a potential new COVID-19 surge in the U.S. — and wondering how long it will take to detect. Despite disease-monitoring improvements over the last two years, they say, some recent developments don’t bode …

Saliva testing for Covid-19 quicker, safer than nasal swabs: Study
2 years, 9 months ago

Saliva testing for Covid-19 quicker, safer than nasal swabs: Study

Hindustan Times  

According to a study led by the American Society for Microbiology, saliva samples can identify Covid-19 more quickly than testing with nasal swabs. The findings have implications for improving public acceptance of Covid-19 testing, reducing the cost of mass Covid-19 screening and improving the safety of healthcare workers who conduct testing. "That made us wonder whether saliva was better for …

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection
2 years, 9 months ago

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection

China Daily  

An employee counts disposable swabs while packaging COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits in Hong Kong, South China, on March 3, 2022. In two separate notices, issued on Friday and Saturday, the National Medical Products Administration allowed five companies－Beijing Savant Biotechnology, Nanjing Vazyme Biotech, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech, Beijing Jinwofu Bioengineering Technology and Shenzhen-based BGI PathoGenesis Pharmaceutical Technology－to revise its COVID-19 antigen …

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection
2 years, 9 months ago

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection

China Daily  

An employee counts disposable swabs while packaging COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits in Hong Kong, South China, on March 3, 2022. In two separate notices, issued on Friday and Saturday, the National Medical Products Administration allowed five companies－Beijing Savant Biotechnology, Nanjing Vazyme Biotech, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech, Beijing Jinwofu Bioengineering Technology and Shenzhen-based BGI PathoGenesis Pharmaceutical Technology－to revise its COVID-19 antigen …

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection
2 years, 9 months ago

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection

China Daily  

An employee counts disposable swabs while packaging COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits in Hong Kong, South China, on March 3, 2022. In two separate notices, issued on Friday and Saturday, the National Medical Products Administration allowed five companies－Beijing Savant Biotechnology, Nanjing Vazyme Biotech, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech, Beijing Jinwofu Bioengineering Technology and Shenzhen-based BGI PathoGenesis Pharmaceutical Technology－to revise its COVID-19 antigen …

New outbreak calls for quick response
2 years, 9 months ago

New outbreak calls for quick response

China Daily  

In a country where any local outbreak of the novel coronavirus is sufficient to trigger the lockdown of a neighborhood or a citywide epidemiological investigation, the appearance of 1,807 local cases on the Chinese mainland on Saturday poses a grave challenge due to the Omicron variant. That hundreds of asymptomatic cases are also being reported every day, along with confirmed …

At long last, WHO issues coronavirus testing advice
2 years, 9 months ago

At long last, WHO issues coronavirus testing advice

LA Times  

A woman is tested for a coronavirus infection at the Lenasia South Hospital near Johannesburg in South Africa. The advice comes months after critics said the lack of recommendations from the global health agency was compromising efforts to stop the pandemic in poor countries. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency was concerned …

S. Korea to give out rapid tests as omicron shatters record
2 years, 10 months ago

S. Korea to give out rapid tests as omicron shatters record

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea will distribute free coronavirus rapid test kits at schools and senior care facilities starting next week as it weathers an unprecedented wave of infections driven by the fast-moving omicron variant. 2 official behind President Moon Jae-in, said officials will start distributing free rapid test kits next week at kindergartens, elementary schools and senior care …

Sweden ends coronavirus testing along with all pandemic restrictions
2 years, 11 months ago

Sweden ends coronavirus testing along with all pandemic restrictions

LA Times  

Sweden has halted wide-scale testing for the coronavirus even among people showing COVID-19 symptoms, putting an end to the pop-up tents, drive-in swab centers and home-delivered tests that became ubiquitous during the pandemic and provided essential data for tracking its spread. Bharat Pankhania, a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School in England, said that with a …

Coronavirus hospital admissions reach highest level for a month
2 years, 11 months ago

Coronavirus hospital admissions reach highest level for a month

Dutch News  

The number of patients being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 is continuing to rise, according to latest figures from the public health agency RIVM. On Wednesday morning there were 1,372 people in hospital with coronavirus infections, up by 19% since last week. On Tuesday the agency published breakdown figures which showed around three-quarters of people in hospital with coronavirus infections …

Coronavirus hospital admissions reach highest level for a month
2 years, 11 months ago

Coronavirus hospital admissions reach highest level for a month

Dutch News  

The number of patients being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 is continuing to rise, according to latest figures from the public health agency RIVM. On Wednesday morning there were 1,372 people in hospital with coronavirus infections, up by 19% since last week. On Tuesday the agency published breakdown figures which showed around three-quarters of people in hospital with coronavirus infections …

Coronavirus cases top 74,000 in a day but true figure is still unclear
2 years, 11 months ago

Coronavirus cases top 74,000 in a day but true figure is still unclear

Dutch News  

A total of 74,085 new positive coronavirus tests were reported to public health institute RIVM in the 24 hours to Friday morning, but the true figure is likely to be higher, given the backlog. Some 76,000 positive tests have not yet been incorporated into the RIVM figures because of technical issues and the surge in the number of positive cases, …

Coronavirus cases top 74,000 in a day but true figure is still unclear
2 years, 11 months ago

Coronavirus cases top 74,000 in a day but true figure is still unclear

Dutch News  

A total of 74,085 new positive coronavirus tests were reported to public health institute RIVM in the 24 hours to Friday morning, but the true figure is likely to be higher, given the backlog. Some 76,000 positive tests have not yet been incorporated into the RIVM figures because of technical issues and the surge in the number of positive cases, …

More positive coronavirus cases in NL, but real total is unclear
2 years, 11 months ago

More positive coronavirus cases in NL, but real total is unclear

Dutch News  

The number of positive coronavirus tests reported to public health institute RIVM is still not up to date because of technical problems, the agency said on Monday. Prime minister Mark Rutte said ahead of the most recent coronavirus rule change that the number of positive tests a day could go up to 80,000. Capacity The regional health board association GGD …

More positive coronavirus cases in NL, but real total is unclear
2 years, 11 months ago

More positive coronavirus cases in NL, but real total is unclear

Dutch News  

The number of positive coronavirus tests reported to public health institute RIVM is still not up to date because of technical problems, the agency said on Monday. Prime minister Mark Rutte said ahead of the most recent coronavirus rule change that the number of positive tests a day could go up to 80,000. Capacity The regional health board association GGD …

Self testing kits do detect Omicron, Dutch health institute says
3 years ago

Self testing kits do detect Omicron, Dutch health institute says

Dutch News  

Dutch public health institute RIVM has carried out experiments with coronavirus self testing kits and did not find a difference in the ability to detect Delta and Omicron variants of the virus, broadcaster NOS said on Wednesday. The FDA said in a statement that antigen tests ‘do detect the Omicron variant, but may have reduced sensitivity,’ which means the tests …

Self testing kits do detect Omicron, Dutch health institute says
3 years ago

Self testing kits do detect Omicron, Dutch health institute says

Dutch News  

Dutch public health institute RIVM has carried out experiments with coronavirus self testing kits and did not find a difference in the ability to detect Delta and Omicron variants of the virus, broadcaster NOS said on Wednesday. The FDA said in a statement that antigen tests ‘do detect the Omicron variant, but may have reduced sensitivity,’ which means the tests …

After reprieve, NYC is rattled by a stunning virus spike
3 years ago

After reprieve, NYC is rattled by a stunning virus spike

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Just a couple of weeks ago, New York City seemed like a relative bright spot in the U.S. coronavirus struggle. The 130,000 daily tests at city- Dr. Mitchell Katz, who runs the city public hospital system, said officials didn’t anticipate “so much news about omicron” or supplies of home test kits running low. “Um, we’ve never seen …

Confidence in Dutch coronavirus strategy hits all time low
3 years ago

Confidence in Dutch coronavirus strategy hits all time low

Dutch News  

Support for the government’s strategy to deal with coronavirus is now at an all-time low, with just 16% of people positive about what ministers are doing, according to the latest survey by public health institute RIVM. Yet even though 39% were neutral about the approach and 46% negative, the pandemic rules, such as working from home and keeping your distance, …

Corona self-testing now official government advice: but are there risks?
3 years, 1 month ago

Corona self-testing now official government advice: but are there risks?

Dutch News  

The Dutch government has announced that people with mild cold symptoms can take a self-test for coronavirus, rather than being advised to get an official test immediately. Bert Niesters, professor in medical microbiology at the University of Groningen UMGG, told NOS that with very sick patients, the tests were likely to be accurate ‘but the problem is people with mild …

Corona self-testing now official government advice: but are there risks?
3 years, 1 month ago

Corona self-testing now official government advice: but are there risks?

Dutch News  

The Dutch government has announced that people with mild cold symptoms can take a self-test for coronavirus, rather than being advised to get an official test immediately. Bert Niesters, professor in medical microbiology at the University of Groningen UMGG, told NOS that with very sick patients, the tests were likely to be accurate ‘but the problem is people with mild …

Omicron variant puts US coronavirus sequencing to the test
3 years, 1 month ago

Omicron variant puts US coronavirus sequencing to the test

CNN  

CNN — Rows of scientists sit before racks of coronavirus samples inside a laboratory in Henderson, North Carolina, wearing face masks and scrubs. “We are now sequencing approximately 80,000 samples per week – about one in every seven PCR positive cases,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told a White House coronavirus briefing Tuesday. Currently, there are about 68 state and …

Coronavirus | Centre tightens rules for overseas travellers over Omicron risk
3 years, 1 month ago

Coronavirus | Centre tightens rules for overseas travellers over Omicron risk

The Hindu  

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday revised guidelines mandating that all international passengers entering India have to submit 14-day travel details and upload a negative RT-PCR test report on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey. Earlier the Central Government in a release issued following a meeting chaired by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, said it will review “the decision on …

New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing -- the holiday season
3 years, 1 month ago

New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing -- the holiday season

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Millions more home tests for COVID-19 are hitting store shelves, but will there be enough for Americans hoping to screen themselves before holiday gatherings? White House officials say the U.S. is on pace to have about 200 million home tests per month by December, quadrupling the number from this summer. Market leader Abbott says it is back to …

At-home COVID tests could make holiday reunions with family safer. Here’s how
3 years, 1 month ago

At-home COVID tests could make holiday reunions with family safer. Here’s how

LA Times  

Even with nearly 63% of Californians fully vaccinated, some public health officials worry that big gatherings this holiday season could lead to big outbreaks of COVID-19. Only two of the three approved home molecular tests — the Lucira CHECK-IT kit and the Cue Health kit — are available now online, and they’re pricey: Amazon sells Lucira’s for $89 per test, …

Record number of coronavirus cases per day, hospital admissions 'rising fast'
3 years, 1 month ago

Record number of coronavirus cases per day, hospital admissions 'rising fast'

Dutch News  

More than 19,000 people were reported to have tested positive for coronavirus in the Netherlands in the last 24 hours, breaking the previous daily record by almost 3,000. Latest figures from the public health agency RIVM also showed 19.2% of all tests had a positive result, itself a record, while the seven-day average figure climbed to 14,499. If people can’t …

Record number of coronavirus cases per day, hospital admissions 'rising fast'
3 years, 1 month ago

Record number of coronavirus cases per day, hospital admissions 'rising fast'

Dutch News  

More than 19,000 people were reported to have tested positive for coronavirus in the Netherlands in the last 24 hours, breaking the previous daily record by almost 3,000. Latest figures from the public health agency RIVM also showed 19.2% of all tests had a positive result, itself a record, while the seven-day average figure climbed to 14,499. If people can’t …

More than half a million have a free coronavirus test in run up to stricter rules
3 years, 2 months ago

More than half a million have a free coronavirus test in run up to stricter rules

Dutch News  

A record 534,000 coronavirus tests were booked as part of the ‘test for entry’ scheme over the past week, the foundation running the programme said on Monday. Around half the people getting tested said they planned to visit a restaurant, café or club, while 5% were planning to take part in some form of sports. The QR code shows if …

More than half a million have a free coronavirus test in run up to stricter rules
3 years, 2 months ago

More than half a million have a free coronavirus test in run up to stricter rules

Dutch News  

A record 534,000 coronavirus tests were booked as part of the ‘test for entry’ scheme over the past week, the foundation running the programme said on Monday. Around half the people getting tested said they planned to visit a restaurant, café or club, while 5% were planning to take part in some form of sports. The QR code shows if …

Discover Related