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As states fight to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control, many are ramping up testing to include anyone with even slight symptoms of COVID-19.
Over the last week, testing criteria have expanded in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.
So who can get tested for COVID-19?
Across all Australian states and territories, anyone who has a fever (that's a temperature at or above 38 degrees Celsius, or a history that suggests fever, like night sweats or chills) or acute respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) and fits into any of the following categories should get a test:
- Has come into contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19
- Works in health care, aged care or residential care
- Lives in an area defined as a "hotspot" by the local public health unit or a "high-risk setting" (i.e. residential care facilities, boarding schools, prisons)
- Has been overseas or travelled on a cruise ship in the past 14 days
But some states are now going further
Those criteria have been broadened in the following states to include:
- Victoria: Anyone experiencing symptoms across the state
- Western Australia: Anyone experiencing symptoms across the state
- South Australia: Anyone experiencing symptoms from Thursday, April 16 to Thursday, April 30 during a two-week testing blitz, or any Qantas staff members who worked in certain areas of Adelaide Airport, even if they do not have symptoms
- Queensland: Anyone experiencing symptoms in Brisbane, Gold Coast or Cairns, or who lives in an Indigenous community, or who has travelled from interstate
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian this morning urged more people to get tested, even if they were not in the declared hotspots, going so far as to say, "the more people who get tested, the better".
But the rules in NSW still don't specifically state that anyone with symptoms can get tested. The current criteria for testing states you can get tested if you have a fever or acute respiratory infection and:
- You fit any of the national criteria for testing listed above
- You self-identify as Aboriginal
- You have been referred by your GP or public health unit to a COVID-19 clinic for testing
- Your clinician, after taking a full history, has reason to suspect you may have COVID-19
- You live in a community with local transmission (these are the "hotspots" referred to in national testing guidelines)
The local government areas identified as NSW "hotspots" where you can get tested are Blacktown, Byron Shire, Cumberland, Greater Taree, Inner West, Lake Macquarie, Liverpool, Penrith, Randwick, Ryde, Waverley and Woollahra.
However, a NSW Health spokesperson told the ABC:
"Anyone in NSW who has the symptoms of coronavirus should be tested, particularly in the higher-risk outbreak centres."
The ACT is testing a random selection of people who have symptoms but don't meet the broader criteria at select testing clinics.
The NT is also testing frontline workers who have a respiratory illness or fever, including emergency services, teachers and childcare providers, retail pharmacists and pharmacy assistants.
Tasmania is expanding testing criteria in the state's north-west, where there has been a spate of cases connected to three hospitals.
Why are more people being tested now?
At this stage, authorities are trying to get on top of community transmission of the disease. That means focus is shifting from imported cases (there aren't so many people arriving in Australia now that flights have been cut significantly) onto those cases potentially acquired locally.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was keen to see the number of tests increase to 4,000 a day.
"The more people with symptoms or people who think they might have the virus who get tested, the better we can get a handle on the spread and control the spread," she said.
Victoria's Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said by opening up the testing criteria, the Government would be able to gauge the spread of the virus in coming weeks.
"We're putting in place the most generous, widest testing criteria in the nation if you have a fever or acute respiratory symptoms; a cough, shortness of breath," she said.
Stay up-to-date on the coronavirus outbreak
What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
First of all, if you're unsure about your symptoms, you can check them using healthdirect's coronavirus symptom checker.
You can also call the national coronavirus hotline on 1800 020 080, or check your state's health department website for local helpline details.
It's likely you'll need to check your symptoms with your GP to determine if you need to be tested. It's really important that you call ahead — don't just turn up at your GP clinic if you have any of the COVID-19 symptoms.
You should be able to book a bulk-billed telehealth appointment with your GP to assess those symptoms.
If not, the clinic may instruct you to come in for an appointment but stay in the car until someone can come out to you.
OK. I need a COVID-19 test. Where do I go to get tested?
If your GP confirms you need to be tested, they will give you instructions on where to go. This may be at your doctor's office if they're a dedicated COVID-19 clinic, or they may give you a referral for testing at a clinic nearby.
This could be at a fever clinic inside your nearest hospital, a pathology clinic, or drive-through facility.
Drive-through collection centres have been set up in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory.
Similarly, if your local coronavirus hotline has confirmed you're eligible for a test, they'll have information on your nearest facility.
What will happen when I go for a test?
Depending on where you go for your test, you may be asked to wear a mask. This is to protect other people in the area. If you don't have a mask, let them know.
You may also be asked to wait outside or in your car until someone can come out to perform the test or bring you inside.
Whoever is carrying out your test should be wearing PPE, including a gown, gloves, surgical mask and eye protection.
The standard test involves nasal and/or throat swabs. This is pretty unpleasant, but shouldn't be too painful.
They'll insert a long swab into your nostril to collect a sample. The same swab goes into the other nostril. It might make you sneeze or cry (that's OK, it is a little scary — just ask if you need a moment to relax).
The throat swab is taken from the back of the throat, avoiding the tongue. It might feel a bit scratchy or uncomfortable but it shouldn't hurt.
Lower respiratory tract samples may also be taken, in which case you will be asked to rinse your mouth with water and then cough phlegm into a sterile, screw-top container.
Australia has more recently started using "finger prick" blood tests for some cases, but these are far less widespread than the standard testing method. Good news for those who don't like needles!
What do I do while waiting for a test result?
If your symptoms are manageable, stay home. You should consider yourself under strict quarantine.
That means you shouldn't leave your home even for the reasons allowed under social distancing measures (grocery shopping, exercise and the like).
If you're an essential worker, you won't be able to go to work until your test result comes back (provided it's negative) and your symptoms have cleared. You'll need to let your workplace know about your symptoms and that you've been tested.
Keep an eye on your symptoms, and if they get worse, call your doctor, or if it's an emergency, dial triple-0.
If you're really sick, you may be admitted to hospital for treatment.
It could take a couple of days for your results to come back. This varies depending on where and when you get tested.
While you're waiting, do your best to take care of yourself both physically and mentally.
It can be a stressful time sitting by the phone waiting to hear your results, so get lots of rest, plenty of fluids, and keep your mind occupied.
Jigsaw puzzles, letter-writing, screen time, and a bit of light crafting could be on the agenda for a couple of days.
If your result is negative, your doctor should give you a call and let you know.
If your result is positive, you can expect a call from the public health unit where you got tested. They'll tell you what to do next.
What you need to know about coronavirus:
Topics: infectious-diseases-other, respiratory-diseases, social-distancing, covid-19, australia