My colleagues & I wrote an open letter last week calling for rapid testing. The virus doesn’t understand exemption rules. Everyone without exception must have a rapid antigen test for covid on arrival - everyone, no exemptions. thenewdaily.com.au/news/2020…

NSW airport transport driver tests positive for COVID

New South Wales has recorded its first case of community transmitted COVID-19 in more than a week.

thenewdaily.com.au

Dec 16, 2020 · 1:24 AM UTC

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Replying to @MarylouiseMcla1
Thought this was already being done considering the high risk from O/S. Very disappointing and alarming. Is there a link to your open letter ?
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We wrote this on December 7 before this outbreak - still not response. Outbreak management is building up rings of defence with strategies that are never perfect hence the multiple rings. Add rapid testing at airport to close a hole in our defence.
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Replying to @MarylouiseMcla1
Is there a publicly available list of the exemptions and the number given for each?
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On the Australian Government website health.gov.au/news/health-al…
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Replying to @MarylouiseMcla1 @Covid19NSW
Rapid testing is very inaccurate so if you test negative may give you a false sense of security putting more people at risk.
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Screening is different to diagnosis. Accuracy for screening rapid tests differs marginally across test kits approved for Aust use. Passengers & crew screening needs high negative test accuracy & most rapid tests have 98.8%-100% accuracy.
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Replying to @MarylouiseMcla1 @TonyHWindsor
Thank you so much for doing this, even though it shows that we are in a truly terrible situation that compelled you and your colleagues to do this.
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Sadly our letter was written on Dec 7 to ministries before the outbreak- still no reply. A CMO dismissed our idea in press saying neg test today can be pos tomorrow was not accurate antigen test is accurate in early stages, with higher certainty than what we have now (nothing!)
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Replying to @MarylouiseMcla1
Aus company just had a self testing kit approved by the US. Apparently Aus govt not interested. Go figure!
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Indeed ! These fits should br given to all Aust flight crew isolating at home.
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