There are three sites in our district where people can now collect pre-ordered rapid antigen tests for Covid-19.

Anyone who has Covid-19 symptoms, or asymptomatic household contacts of a Covid positive case, can order rapid antigen tests (RATs) through the Ministry’s new RAT requester website.

The tests are available free of charge. 

WellSouth chief executive officer Andrew Swanson-Dobbs said there are currently 36 community collection sites in Otago and Southland – this is considerably more than any other district of the country – and more sites in more locations are being added.

“WellSouth testing providers across the district are doing a great service to their communities, making rapid antigen tests even more readily available to people who need testing.

“More availability of testing can help reduce the spread of the Covid virus and potentially mean the current outbreak is shorter and less severe.”

Pre-ordering is required and an order number, assigned through the RAT requestor process, is required to collect testing kits.

Locations for Central Otago to collect pre-ordered RATs are Lake Dunstan Pharmacy, Cromwell, Highland Pharmacy, Roxburgh and WellSouth Alexandra.

Testing (RAT and PCR) continues to be available at community testing sites and general practices throughout the Southern region.

There are 36 community collection sites across the district with more being added.

Jo Pugh, Acting Group Manager of COVID-19 Testing and Supply said new RATs are flowing through the supply chain and into collection sites where they can be accessed by anyone assessed as needing one.

There are 146 collection sites, 106 testing centres, and 21 providers supporting our priority population groups nationwide. And with the addition of participating pharmacies and GPs, there are now more than 500 access points for RATs, with additional sites continuing to be opened across the motu.

“The ability to place an order online ensures that the process is smoother when people go to collect them. It also means that the whole whānau don’t need to queue up at the testing centre when one person in the household gets sick, because you’ll be able to collect RATs for everyone in your household."

RATs are also available for purchase in some retail stores. In a statement, Consumer NZ said the price varied greatly ranging fro $6.50 - $19 per test.

With no set price for RATs, it’s up to individual retailers to decide a price.

Caitlin Cherry, Consumer NZ Head of Content said some consumers have concerns about price gouging after exorbitant markups on protective face masks such as the N95.

“It’s important to remember that RATs are free for anyone with Covid symptoms, or for positive Covid cases, through your local testing station and participating GPs,” Cherry said.

"We would expect RATs to range from $6.50 to $15, so if you do find extremely expensive tests for sale, you are entitled to ask a retailer why pricing is so high,” she said.

Southern District Health Board numbers released yesterday were 145 covid-19 cases in Central Otago (as at 11.59pm March 2). 15 of these were new positive cases (PCR & RAT). Total figures for Southern district for the previous 24 hours were 597 new cases, and 6169 total active cases.

The Central App will keep our community updated on important information during this time, in our COVID-19 section, for example: Rapid antigen tests are now available for home testing

PHOTO: Southern District Health Board

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