GPs are being urged to test any patient with even the mildest symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, as the country starts easing its way out of shutdown.

The Federal Government says 10 million PCR testing kits are on their way to Australia, thanks to a deal with mining magnate Andrew Forrest, which was behind its decision to significantly relax national testing criteria last week.

The PCR test units, manufactured by Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), will keep up Australia’s supplies between now and December, according to Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt.

On Thursday, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd urged GPs to “organise testing for any patient that you see who has fever or any respiratory tract infection symptoms, no matter how mild”, including children.