A big change is coming to Victorian schools as the state accelerates its way out of lockdown.
Rapid antigen testing will be rolled out to 20 Victorian schools impacted by Covid-19 outbreaks.
Deputy premier James Merlino said the at-home testing kits would this week be administered to 20 schools currently battling coronavirus infections, before being rolled out to other government and independent schools from November 15.
The tests would be offered to unvaccinated students – primarily those aged under 12 – who were primary close contacts as a result of a positive case at school.
Mr Merlino said the program would allow them to return to school after seven days of quarantine, rather than 14 days, provided they returned a negative PCR test on day six, and then a negative rapid antigen test result at home each day on days eight to 14 of their quarantine period.
“For kids and their families who are excited to get back to school, having to quarantine can be really frustrating – these rapid antigen tests will cut that time and get kids back in the classroom sooner,” he told reporters on Monday morning.
“This is another way we’re making learning as COVIDSafe as possible while keeping schools open.”
Students returned to the classrooms full time for the remainder of term four at the start of November after months of remote learning.
The state government will hand out 200,000 rapid antigen tests this week, with more to arrive each week afterwards.
The can indicate a result for coronavirus within 15-30 minutes.
Victoria recorded 1126 new locally acquired Covid-19 infections on Monday and five more deaths.
There are 556 Victorians in hospital — 91 of those are in intensive care and 54 are on a ventilator.
A total of 44,479 tests were processed on Sunday.
About 84 per cent of Victorians aged older than 12 were fully vaccinated and 91.8 per cent had received their first jab.
It comes as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews warned the state’s health care system would experience significant pressure in the coming weeks as it struggles with unprecedented demand.
On Saturday night Ambulance Victoria averted a crisis after hospitals were put on notice that the service had “exhausted their ability to meet demand”.
Mr Andrews said paramedics and hospital staff were dealing with what he described as a “difficult gateway” as Victoria attempted to live with coronavirus.
“They are under very significant pressure, there’s no question about that,” he said.
“I would just ask every single Victorian, if it’s not an emergency, please don’t call triple-0.
“There is a bit of pressure in the system at the moment.
“That will pass in time as both we see Covid demand come off and the benefits of our ongoing investment really kick in.”
Originally published as Victoria records 1126 new cases of Covid, rapid antigen testing rolled out across schools
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