Last chance to take our survey: Are the rules for coronavirus testing too restrictive?
Test kits are in short supply but some doctors say the Federal Government's criteria for testing needs to be urgently expanded
As the coronavirus crisis escalates, attention has turned to the criteria for testing patients, especially as the WHO urges all countries to “test, test, test”.
The Chief Medical Officer has urged GPs to strictly adhere to testing criteria to protect “rapidly diminishing” supplies of swabs and reagents.
His current advice is that tests should be restricted to anyone who has:
Travelled from overseas in the 14 days before developing fever OR acute respiratory infection (eg, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat) with or without fever.
