By Oliver Lees
Macedon Ranges council has welcomed the state government’s roll-out of rapid antigen testing in early childhood services and plans to opt in to the scheme.
Last week the Victorian government announced it would provide free rapid antigen test kits to kindergartens and daycare centres in an effort to curb future COVID-19 outbreaks.
Unlike regular COVID-19 testing, which confirms whether an individual has contracted the disease, rapid antigen tests tell you whether you are likely to have COVID-19.
According to the Department of Health, the results from these tests can be provided within 15 to 30 minutes after completion, and should be used in instances where an individual needs to quickly check whether they may have COVID-19.
A standard PCR test is still required to confirm a positive case.
A Macedon Ranges council spokesperson said the technology allows children currently ineligible to be vaccinated to return to kindergarten quicker, after seven days of quarantine, instead of 14 days.
“Children attending any one of council’s eight kindergarten sites will be able to get back to kindergarten sooner with at home rapid antigen testing available for use to safely reduce the time spent in quarantine for children identified as a primary close contact of COVID-19 exposure,” the spokesperson said.
“Council will provide further details of the program to parents and carers of children who attend council operated kindergartens in the coming days.”
Hume council pandemic response manager Brooke Watson said council “continues to consider” providing rapid antigen testing in early childhood settings.
“Hume residents have a great record in coming forward and getting tested and as new initiatives become available, we will continue to encourage residents who develop any COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, to get tested,” Ms Watson said.
The availability of at-home testing comes as the state surpasses its milestone of vaccinating 90 per cent of the eligible population, which has ushered in the removal of restrictions relating to venue capacities and household gatherings.
Details: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au
