Please do not stop at any shops, cafes and restaurants, or your workplace during this journey to and from the testing clinic unless there is an emergency. In general, you will travel to a testing clinic and return home to self-isolate until you are notified of a negative test result. Travelling to and from the clinicĭepending on whether you are a close contact or a casual contact will determine how you will travel to and from a testing facility. You can only leave your residence during this isolation period if there is an emergency, which includes escaping domestic violence. Please do not stop anywhere on your way home, this includes at any shops, cafes and restaurants, or your workplace. Go to a testing facility and return home to self-isolate until you are notified of a negative test result. You should get tested as soon as you have any COVID-19 symptoms, however mild they may be. This means that getting tested early is our best solution either when you have symptoms or have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 means that you can take action if necessary to protect yourself, your loved ones, and vulnerable members of our community. Why should I get tested?ĭiagnosing COVID-19 early, even when symptoms are mild, will help us to stop the spread of COVID-19 across the ACT.Įven when fully vaccinated, you can still catch COVID-19 and pass it on to your family and loved ones. This is a separate type of test that is done on samples after they have been identified as a COVID-19 case by PCR testing (the standard test for COVID-19). Yes, the type of test that assesses the variant of COVID-19 is called Whole Genome Sequencing. The only thing you will be tested for is COVID-19. More information on how rapid antigen testing can be found here: Q&As on COVID-19 rapid antigen self-tests | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Are you testing for anything other than COVID-19? If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or are identified as a close or casual contact of someone who has COVID-19 you will be required to visit an ACT testing clinic for a PCR test as soon as possible.Įach state and territory have different testing requirements and you should visit their website for further information. Currently, only PCR tests are accepted by ACT Health for required testing and when proof of COVID-19 status is required. These tests are not as accurate as a PCR test but you do your result in a much quicker time frame, and they can be used to help reduce the spread of the virus and potentially prevent outbreaks.Ī positive Rapid Antigen Test result will require a further PCR testing to confirm if you are infected with COVID-19. However, these tests have some limitations compared to PCR tests used in ACT testing clinics. The result usually displays within 10 - 30 minutes. These tests involve taking either a saliva sample or nasal swab that is placed into a chemical solution.
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Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are now available for purchase in Australia and can be used at home to potentially identify the presence of COVID-19. PCR tests are the most accurate way to confirm if a person has COVID-19 and results usually take 24 – 48 hours. You will be contacted by your doctor or the clinic who completed the test with your results. Once the test is complete, your sample is sent to a laboratory and tested to see if you have COVID-19. These tests must be done at an ACT Government or private Pathology clinic and will be performed by a trained healthcare professional.Ī PCR test for COVID-19 takes around a minute and involves taking a sample swab from the back of your throat and nose. PCR Test (Polymerase Chain Reaction)Ī standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is the standard COVID-19 test used in the ACT at our testing clinics. If you receive a positive Rapid Antigen Test result, you will require further testing by a PCR to confirm the result. Only PCR tests are accepted as a formal test results part of ACT Health's testing requirements.