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:
People who have been in a setting where there is a confirmed COVID-19 case; OR
Workers supporting COVID-19 quarantine and isolation services; OR
International border staff; OR
Air and maritime crew; OR
Healthcare, aged or residential care workers and staff with potential COVID-19 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, it is ACT Health policy 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 entry to quarantine.
Geographical areas of risk (as of 20 July 2021)
Current geographical areas of risk for COVID-19 transmission are:
International
Any overseas country (excluding New Zealand)
Domestic
State of South Australia since 15 July
Queensland LGAs
City of Brisbane
City of Gold Coast
City of Ipswich
Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Logan City
Moreton Bay Region
Noosa Shire Council
Redland City
Scenic Rim Regional Council
Somerset Regional Council
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
New South Wales LGAs:
Orange City Council, Blayney Shire Council and Cabonne Shire Council, NSW since 14 July
Greater Sydney LGAs
Bayside
Blacktown
Blue Mountains
Burwood
Camden
Campbelltown
Canada Bay
Canterbury-Bankstown
Central Coast
City of Sydney
Cumberland
Fairfield
Georges River
Hawkesbury
Hornsby
Hunters Hill
Inner West
Ku-ring-gai
Lane Cove
Liverpool
Mosman
North Sydney
Northern Beaches
Parramatta
Penrith
Randwick
Ryde
Shellharbour
Strathfield
Sutherland Shire
The Hills
Waverley
Willoughby
Wollondilly
Wollongong
Woollahra
State of Victoria (all LGAs), excluding Greater Metropolitan Melbourne, on or after 8 July
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). Other asymptomatic patients who require COVID-19 testing (e.g. prior to boarding an international flight) can be sent to private pathology collection centres with a request form. Patients may be charged for their test in these circumstances.
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.
