South Australia’s first regional RAT collection site has launched with more to be opened throughout the state in coming days.
The new Riverland collection site at Glossop will give the community greater access to Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT), with a new collection site now open at Old Glossop High School.
Premier Steven Marshall said the site was one of three regional locations opening within the next 48 hours, with locations at Port Augusta and Murray Bridge opening tomorrow, and other areas such as Mount Gambier to follow shortly after.
“Providing even greater and easier access across the state to RATS is an important part of our ongoing plan in response to the Omicron outbreak,” Premier Marshall said.
“The Omicron variant was a game changer but South Australia’s plan has been both strong and adaptable to mitigate the health and economic threats as we open up and protect local jobs during this challenging period.
“Making it easier for regional South Australians who are close contacts to access RATs is the next step in that plan as we emerge stronger than ever on the other side of the Omicron wave.”
The new Riverland collection site will provide two free RATs for people who are identified as close contacts and will allow an increase in the number of tests taken so we can stop potential chains of transmission, make sure COVID-positive people get the care they need and to get a clearer picture of how many COVID positive people are in the community.
South Aussies who don’t have immediate access to a RAT test and are either a close contact or have symptoms, are urged to use one of the more than 80 PCR testing sites throughout the state to get a PCR test.
The Riverland collection site is open from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week, with the site providing free RATs to people who are identified as a close contact.
A guide to the new process:
1. If you have been identified as a close contact – either by a positive case, directly by SA Health, or due to being at an identified exposure location – you will now have to register yourself through the SA Health website.
You can register on behalf of another close contact – make sure you provide their information when completing the form to ensure results are reported accurately. To register head to: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDRapidAntigenTesting
2. Once a close contact has registered online, they will receive a confirmation email and text message that will need to be shown at the RAT pick up point.
3. The tests can be administered at home on the days you are required to test.
4. Those who registered as close contacts will then receive another text message, and as part of this new process, will be legally required to report their positive result online – or by phone if the person does not have internet access.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, please seek testing as soon as possible.
For more information on health advice and requirements for households, visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDcontacttracing.
Find your nearest testing site at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDtesting
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