ACT Health may consider pop-up testing sites as Canberra struggles to keep up with demand.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"We are constantly reviewing capacity across the testing network and will consider additional sites if required," a spokesperson said.
"Pop-up testing sites may also be used to bolster testing capacity during periods of high demand."
ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said COVID-19 testing numbers are currently "higher than during the peak of the outbreak" in a press conference on Tuesday.
MORE COVID-19 NEWS:
"The number of people who are travelling and needing to go get a negative PCR test ... is placing stress on testing capacity."
ACT Health said the Mitchell testing site reached capacity on Tuesday.
"Today, at times, our Mitchell site reached the maximum number of cars it is able to have on site" a spokesperson said.
On Tuesday morning people were queuing up before the testing site in Mitchell opened, resulting in long wait times as soon as the site started operation.
Ms Stephen-Smith encouraged people to "think about [getting tested] in the middle of the day" because ACT Health was experiencing "busy mornings, quieter afternoons and then busy again in the evening".
She said the ACT government was "determining whether we have the need or capacity to stand up more sites"
Almost 6000 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the ACT on Monday, with long wait times in the lead-up to Christmas.
Tuesday's surge in testing came after testing sites at Garran and Mitchell reached capacity and closed at 8.25pm Monday night.
ACT Health has encouraged people to visit clinics in Garran and Nicholls, or Capitol Pathology in Holt due to the shorter wait time.
Wait times as of 5pm Tuesday:
- Garran (open 7:30am-9pm): 2hrs+
- Mitchell drive-through testing clinic (8am to 10pm): 2hrs+
- Kambah drive-through testing clinic (open 8am to 6pm*): 1 hour 30 minutes+
- Nicholls testing clinic (open 8am to 6pm*): 1 hour 20 minutes+
ACT Health has advised people getting a COVID-19 test to:
- check our network of testing clinics and attend the site with the lowest wait times. These are updated on our website hourly: www.covid19.act.gov.au/testing-times
- check that the jurisdiction you're travelling to definitely requires that you get a test for travel purposes. For example, travel to NSW and Victoria does not require a COVID-19 test.
- attend our testing sites when they're likely to be quieter, like the middle of the day. We are finding peak wait times are occurring in the early morning, late afternoon and evening.
- know that you may have to wait for a while. Bring plenty of water, snacks and be sun safe.
- be kind, respectful and courteous to staff at the testing clinics who are here to help you.
You can find the full list of where you can get a COVID-19 test in the ACT at covid19.act.gov.au/testing-locations
A new drive-through testing clinic opened on Tooth Street, Mitchell, on Saturday morning, following the closure of the Exhibition Park clinic on Friday after 21 months of use.
Meanwhile, business lobby groups and health experts are calling for rapid COVID-19 tests to urgently be made free, as fears grow virus numbers may explode during the holiday period.
READ MORE:
Extra COVID-19 testing sites will be considered throughout the week after a rise in demand following major interstate outbreaks and nearing travel plans.
Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT is free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also sign up for our newsletters for regular updates.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
