Change in Howard Springs testing regime bumps up COVID risk, epidemiologist warns
ABCA leading epidemiologist is warning a change in testing regimes for staff at the Howard Springs quarantine facility could leave the Northern Territory vulnerable to community transmission of coronavirus. Key points: The NT government has scrapped the use of daily rapid antigen tests for quarantine staff NT health authorities say 'gold standard' PCR testing will be used instead But a leading epidemiologist has warned that could increase the risk of a COVID breach As the facility prepares to accept the first arrival of repatriated Australians from India in weeks, the NT government has confirmed it will scrap a process known as rapid antigen testing for the daily screening of quarantine staff. "The rapid antigen testing does not have the sensitivity and specificity to pick up the people that have COVID," she said, adding that the tests had also returned false positives in the past. Professor McLaws said the rapid antigen tests also remained an important tool in the infection control arsenal because they could be more effective at detecting coronavirus in its early stages and variants.
History of this topic
COVID-19 testing regime at Howard Springs based on best advice, Deputy NT Chief Health Officer says
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Howard Springs staff fear hours-long wait for PCR saliva COVID-19 test results could endanger community
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Commonwealth begins handover of Howard Springs quarantine facility to NT government
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Four more returned Australians test positive for COVID-19 in Howard Springs after arriving from India
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Four new coronavirus cases detected in Darwin's Howard Springs quarantine facility after passengers arrive from India
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Coronavirus testing ramped up as South-East Queensland battles to contain a COVID-19 cluster
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Deputy Chief Medical Officer flags expanding coronavirus testing regime
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Northern Territory to reopen Howard Springs quarantine facility for 'mild' coronavirus cases
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