BENDIGO Health is reminding those waiting in line for a COVID-19 test to be patient after testing staff were subjected to abuse over the Christmas period.
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In the past week, the hospital has tested between 700 to 850 people per day as coronavirus cases surge across the state.
But while there have been significant wait times for people wanting a test in metropolitan areas, Bendigo Health executive director David Rosaia said the Bendigo sites have been managing well.
"We weren't at full, overwhelmed numbers," he said. "A third of those were tests in relation to travel, which caused its own issues.
"People were expecting to be tested and expecting to get their results quickly. It's always about waiting. That's what caused aggression towards staff which was very, very disappointing.
"During this time of the year, it's hard to get the staff. They're working through Christmas. We should be supporting them, not allowing them to be abused in any way."
Mr Rosaia said the hospital was expecting longer testing lines to continue into the New Year. He noted that a Bendigo heatwave could increase tensions.
"Just a reminder to everyone to be nice," he said. "Bring your bottle of water, continue to hydrate, continue to social distance, and we'll get there. We're doing the best we can."
Close contacts will only be people who are a household contact or someone who has been around a COVID-positive person for more than four hours in an enclosed space.
Close contacts will have to isolate for seven days and get a test on day six. A positive case will only have to use a rapid antigen test on day six to determine if they still have the disease.
Rapid antigen tests will also become the preferred COVID-19 testing tool in the New Year.
Mr Morrison announced close contacts and people with symptoms would be able to access those tests through the public health system. The tests will also be available for purchase in the private market.
Bendigo Health welcomed the shift in coronavirus testing.
"Once we get some real clear guidelines about the use of rapid antigen tests and having them available, that will decrease the pressure on the PCR testing sites significantly," Mr Rosaia said.
"We're really looking forward to getting access to the rapid antigen tests, looking at the guidelines, and allowing our PCRs to do what they were supposed to do - test symptomatic individuals.
"So then your rapid antigen tests can be used for your close contacts, for potential exposures. We'll move quickly to implement those changes."
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