The ability to test for COVID at home and potentially have a result within 20 minutes would greatly aid in slowing and monitoring the spread of the virus when it arrives in Tasmania, the Australian Medical Association believes.
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Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced on Tuesday that the Therapeutic Goods Administration has set a target of November 1 to have rapid antigen tests available for home use.
Further details - such as when they would be available in each state and territory and if there would be a cost to consumers - would likely be confirmed in the coming month.
AMA Tasmania president Helen McArdle said it would "add to the toolbox" available to Tasmanians and health authorities in managing COVID outbreaks.
"We know vaccinated people may have asymptomatic COVID, so particularly for those working with vulnerable people, to have a home test showing they're negative or positive, action can be taken quickly to prevent the spread," she said.
"It gives that extra bit of comfort when you've got a system to test quickly.
"I understand they can take 20 minutes - at least some of the ones used overseas - and are a bit like a pregnancy test in that you'll get a colour change of some form for negative or positive after a swab of the nasal area."
Before approval, the TGA would need to determine appropriate packaging and instructions.
If a positive result is given, a more verifiable test using the standard PCR test could be required.
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Dr McArdle said that without the testing being monitored, mechanisms would need to be in place in the case of people "fudging" their results.
"Very few people are going to do that, but I think that's been part of the problem overseas," she said.
A government spokesperson said it would seek relevant advice.
"We note this announcement and look forward to further discussions on it," they said.
"Tasmania has excellent diagnostic services in place and we will take advice from the TGA, Communicable Disease Network Australia and Public Health Laboratory Network around the appropriate use of these devices."
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