Coronavirus ‘bounce back’ likely without more community testing, epidemiologist warns
We need to test asymptomatic at-risk patients, says Professor Raina MacIntyre
The ongoing failure to test asymptomatic people at risk of COVID-19, and the restrictions preventing doctors doing more community-based testing, risks the epidemic “bouncing back”, one of Australia’s leading epidemiologists warns.
GPs have been calling for more community testing, with some 80% saying they have been turning away patients because they do not fit current testing criteria, despite believing they are likely to have the virus.
One reason for the limits imposed is the demand from the hospital system which has led to shortages.
But Professor Raina MacIntyre says community-based testing using the PCR diagnostic test kits is urgently needed – ideally now, but certainly before social restrictions are lifted.
