For after hours urgent public health matters including environmental health, radiation safety, food poisoning and communicable disease management phone:
Test all patients who meet the suspect case definition:
Fever (≥37.5°C) or history of fever (e.g. night sweats, chills) OR acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) OR loss of sense of smell or taste
AND
One of the following epidemiological risk factors in the 14 days prior to illness onset:
Close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case; OR
International travel, including cruise ship passengers and crew; in the 14 days prior to illness onset; OR
Healthcare, aged or residential care workers and staff with direct patient contact.
In addition to the suspect case definition, test anyone who meets the following clinical criteria:
Fever (≥37.5°C) or history of fever (e.g. night sweat, chills) in the absence of a clear alternative cause, such as a urinary tract infection or cellulitis
OR
Acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat).
OR
Sudden onset of loss of sense of smell or taste
Patients with sudden onset of runny nose/blocked nose, muscle pain, joint pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite can be tested for COVID-19 in the absence of fever or respiratory symptoms if no alternative cause for these symptoms is apparent, at the discretion of the treating clinician.
Testing of asymptomatic individuals is not generally recommended. However, ACT Health requires that individuals in quarantine undergo “exit testing” on day 10-12 of their quarantine period, even if asymptomatic. In addition, some individuals may be asked by ACT Health (or another public health authority such as NSW Health) to be tested upon entering quarantine.
Geographical areas of risk (as of 27/11/2020)
Greater Adelaide, defined as the following Local Government Areas:
Adelaide City
Adelaide Hills
Burnside
Campbelltown
Charles Sturt
Gawler
Holdfast Bay
Marion
Mitcham
Norwood Payneham and St Peters
Onkaparinga
Playford
Port Adelaide Enfield
Prospect
Salisbury
Tea Tree Gully
Unley
Walkerville
West Torrens
Unincorporated (Torrens Island)
Geographical areas of risk are reviewed regularly and will be updated based on the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in other jurisdictions.
Testing Locations
GPs can collect specimens for COVID-19 themselves if they wish to. Please refer to the Specimen Collection Guidelines for details.
Testing is performed free of charge for symptomatic individuals.
No appointment is required for ACT Government COVID-19 Testing Clinics. Appointments are required for the GP Respiratory Clinics in Crace and Greenway.
Clinic locations, opening hours and booking details (where relevant) are available on the ACT COVID-19 website. Many testing clinics operate 7 days a week.
Please note that asymptomatic individuals cannot be tested at these clinics, unless directed to be tested by ACT Health or another public health authority (e.g. NSW Health).
Patients can be sent to a suitable private pathology collection centre with a pathology request form.
Testing is free of charge for symptomatic patients who are eligible for Medicare.
Asymptomatic patients who require COVID-19 testing can be sent to private pathology collection centres with a request form. Patients may be charged for their test in these circumstances.
