Victoria will roll out millions of rapid antigen tests on Monday with the state government revealing which groups will have access first.
Millions of vital rapid antigen tests are set to roll out in Victoria as Covid numbers continue to surge.
Around three million RATs arrive on Monday from the state’s bulk order of 44 million for people in need.
“Thanks to our bulk order of tests, Victorians will soon be able to reliably obtain a free RAT,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“As more tests progressively arrive, we’ll continue to roll them out to those who need them.”
The development means Victoria is the first state to distribute the kit for free to the community.
The tests will be distributed to high-risk workforces, including healthcare and other critical workforces.
Some tests will also be given to community groups and multicultural associations to help tackle outbreaks.
Vulnerable Victorians including those susceptible to severe illness will also be prioritised.
Last week, more than 400,000 RATs were distributed to more than 60 state PCR testing centres.
Since the RAT reporting system opened on January 7, 145,580 Victorians have reported a positive result either via the coronavirus website or by phone.
Victoria on Sunday recorded 28,128 new Covid-19 cases and 13 more deaths, as experts say the state could soon overcome its peak.
Mr Andrews urged Victorians to keep honouring close contact requirements and to get a booster as soon as possible.
“If there’s one thing you do today or tomorrow, if you’re eligible for a booster please go online and book an appointment,” he said.
“It is key to us driving down these case numbers.”
On Saturday Victoria surpassed a grim milestone earlier in the week with more than 1000 people in hospital with the virus after the state recorded 25,526 new cases and 23 deaths.
Covid-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said the state had “unfortunately and sadly” surpassed 1000 hospitalised patients on Friday but Saturday’s figures meant it had reached its highest number of hospitalisations since the pandemic began.
“This again highlights how transmissible Omicron is but also how avoidable it is,” he said. “Less than half of people in hospital were not fully vaccinated.
Originally published as Victoria begins huge rapid antigen test rollout as cases climb across the state
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