The State Government has announced Rapid Antigen Tests will be permitted to be sold in South Australia from today for self-testing.
The role of rapid antigen testing is to allow anyone in the community to screen themselves for COVID-19. This is for people with no symptoms, but who want to be doubly sure they will not infect people in their family or the community.
Health experts advise that anyone with symptoms or is a close contact of a COVID positive case should have a PCR test and isolate until a negative result, as the chance of having COVID-19 is so much higher.
The PCR test, available at numerous SA Pathology and private testing sites throughout the state, remains the most accurate and reliable way to diagnose a COVID positive case.
Premier Steven Marshall said South Australian stores will take time to transport the stock to their shelves so he urged those in the community to remain patient over the coming days if not immediately available.
“We planned for the use of Rapid Antigen Testing to be implemented when we reached a level of COVID within the community and we have now hit that mark,” Premier Marshall said.
“Rapid Antigen Testing is a useful tool for surveillance testing and asymptomatic South Australians who are looking for a greater of sense of confidence before socially interacting with others.”
“Transition to the next phase of our COVID-Ready plan was always going to be challenging and I thank every South Australian for their efforts so far.”
The Rapid Antigen Tests are already in use for regular screening testing of workers in many sectors in our state, including health, food production, mining, aged care, and transport.
Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier said: “With higher rates of COVID-19 now in our community the expanded use of Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) provides an excellent additional layer of protection and reassurance for individuals.
“Importantly, RAT is not a diagnostic test for COVID-19 and anyone with symptoms, or a close contact of a confirmed case, should get a PCR test at one of our testing clinics.
“RAT is for well people with no symptoms and can be very helpful in the following circumstances:
- Before entering a high-risk setting, for example healthcare or aged care,
- Before going out where there may be crowds,
- Before going to work, especially if it is a critical worksite, or
- To provide reassurance to asymptomatic people who are feeling anxious or worried in the current COVID climate.
“It will also ensure we prioritise the PCR tests for everyone who had COVID-19 symptoms.”
