South Australia’s Premier Steven Marshall, Professor Nicola Spurrier, and Dr Tom Dodd provided an update on responses on the testing blitz and the launch of new 60 minute tests.
Testing blitz
Positive results noted from the early days of the newly launched testing blitz with almost 2000 tests taken yesterday, almost double what was tested prior to the blitz.
Results for these tests will be uncovered over the following days with a question as to whether case numbers will skyrocket.
People who were previously excluded from tests for only having mild symptoms are encouraged to be tested.
Case update
Chief Public Health Officer for SA Health, Professor Nicola Spurrier confirms there has only been one new case today.
The 50 year old male had a history of overseas travel and was pinpointed in the Qantas tracing.
The total cases in SA stands at 435, with 341 or 76% now fully recovered.
There are currently 104 active cases, with four still without epidemiological link.
There are seven patients in hospital, with three in ICU and one in critical condition.
In regards to the testing blitz, with the testing blitz in full effect, Dr Spurrier provided a breakdown of the number of tests at each medical centre yesterday.
- Flinders Medical – 233 tests
- Lyell McEwin hospital – 224 tests
- RAH – 167 tests
- Women and Children hospital – 79 tests
- Hampstead Drive Through – 140 tests
- Repat Drive Through 134
60 minute tests
SA Pathology clinical service director Dr Tom Dodd provided more information on the new 60 minute tests that are being offered in metropolitan and regional sites.
The new technology sourced from the United States provides an answer to a COVID-19 test within 45 minutes.
The sampling is exactly the same as the normal testing regime, with a swab taken from the throat and nose, however the process is sped up through the use of cartridges and miniaturised machine that pinpoints with the same specificity as the current tests.
This will not replace the broad screening process with asks for 16+ hours to return with a result, but will be critical in flow of patients in limited emergency departments.
Dr Dodd says that this is a vital way of helping regional and country departments, with an instrument in all 10 major regional hospitals installed over the next two to three weeks.
The technology was previously available in metropolitan hospitals for the flu, however, it has been modified by the US company for COVID-19.
The biggest benefit of these 60 minute tests is for particularly unwell patients who have come to emergency departments.
The Premier says that this will not replace the existing regime but will augment the regime and will be particularly helpful in country regions.
More to come.
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