Testing Times
The requirement for as many as 10,000 COVID tests in one day in the Bacchus Marsh area will place huge pressure on local health services, says MP Bev McArthur.
The Western Victoria MP has sought assurances from Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton, Health Minister Martin Foley and senior DHHS staff that the upcoming surge in demand for COVID testing in the Bacchus Marsh will not see a repeat of the long queues which hampered testing at the start of the town’s outbreak.
The cluster at Bacchus Marsh Grammar School, first revealed by a teacher’s positive test on Wednesday 14 July, saw the school’s entire Maddingley Campus designated a Tier One exposure site.
Mrs McArthur said: “Those present at Tier 1 exposure sites are required to test straight away and isolate for fourteen days, but also to take a follow-up test immediately before their isolation ends.”
“DHHS have advised all Bacchus Marsh Grammar students and households are due their day-13 COVID tests on 27 July. 2300 students attend the campus, and given their household links and other secondary contacts, the demand for testing on that day will be huge.”
“I am told that DHHS staff have advised those in quarantine that failure to test on day-13 will result in them having to quarantine for a further fortnight.”
“Can you imagine 28 days in quarantine because the State Government has failed in its duty to provide adequate testing sites. People will go spare,” Mrs McArthur said.
“In the first round of testing demanded by the Government - many of those who followed the orders were turned away from multiple testing sites because the sites couldn’t cope with the demand.
“These residents want to do the right thing.
“It is clearly absolutely essential that DHHS works with local health authorities to ensure that sufficient resources are in place for this new wave of testing, which may involve as many as 10,000 people in the Bacchus Marsh area.”
“This surge in demand is entirely predictable, and must be planned for immediately.
"Long queues which cause centre closures aren’t just an inconvenience, they can cause longer exposure and more mixing through travel to alternative sites, both of which are risks to public health.”
Locals have contacted Mrs McArthur’s office desperate for help.
“Because they’re quarantined, these residents can’t even put fuel in their cars. So, telling someone to get tested at another site, kilometres away, is quite simply not do-able, unsafe and rather stupid.”
“I have written to the Minister for Health, copying in the Premier, asking for assurance that this matter has been considered.
"While new outbreaks understandably cause immediate short-term pressure on testing resources, especially in regional areas, day-13 tests are entirely predictable.
"Any failure to have the required resources in place would be inexcusable.
“I was pleased to raise the matter this morning during a briefing with Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton.
"I look forward to receiving assurances from him and from the DHHS that the upcoming testing demand will be properly managed.”
21 July 2021
