South surpasses one million RAT tests distributed
Saturday 09 April 2022More than one million Rapid Antigen Tests were distributed to the residents in Southern during March.
There were 59, 174 orders filled via Southern distribution sites, ordered through the Ministry of Health’s RAT requestor. That amounts to 1,097,800 RAT tests provided to people meeting testing criteria in Otago and Southland in just over four weeks. (These numbers do not include tests provided privately by some employers for their own staff or those sold through some retailers.)
WellSouth Director of Nursing Wendy Findlay says Otago and Southland communities have again shown how conscientious they are about staying safe when it comes to Covid.
“The team have has done a great deal of work ensuring that RAT tests are accessible across the region. We have more than 50 collection sites - more than any other district in the country - and options to have the tests delivered to those living remotely,” Wendy says. “This ready-access has been really helpful but we also know Southerners are keen to do their part to keep our communities safe and that means getting tested to detect the virus.”
The Government shifted to using RATs rather than PCR tests on 23 February, as the Covid virus became prevalent in our communities across the country.
RAT tests continue to be the primary method of testing for Covid, with PCR testing available when needed.
Accessing and Reporting RAT tests:
RAT tests continue to be available free to anyone with symptoms or who is a household contact of Covid positive case. These can be ordered for collection via https://requestrats.covid19.health.nz/.
Test results should be reported via MyCovid Record https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/ or by calling 0800 222 478 and choose option 3