WA Premier Mark McGowan recently announced the State Government’s expansion of its free rapid antigen test (RAT) program, including provision of more than 10 million free RATs to school students to enable families access to RATs so they can test their children, if required.
A rapid antigen test is a quick home test to check if you have COVID-19 and provides a result within 15 to 30 minutes.
RATs can be used to test household members who are close contacts or have symptoms, including a fever of more than 37.50C, acute respiratory symptoms (including cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, acute loss of smell or taste) or non-specific symptoms (including fatigue, headache, diarrhoea or nausea/vomiting).
Anyone with symptoms should be tested for COVID-19 and if negative, stay home until symptoms clear. Find out what to do if a household member tests positive for COVID- 19 or is a close contact as part of the testing and isolation process. Check the WA Government website – COVID-19 Coronavirus: What to do if you have COVID-19 or are a close contact (www.wa.gov.au).
Most RAT kits have a QR code that links to a video that shows how to take the test – whether it is a saliva test or nasal swab. Kits also include guidance on their recommended use.
Check the suitability of the free RATs provided for young children and follow instructions closely. Parents or guardians should perform or supervise RATs on children.
For more information about COVID-19, go to the HealthyWA website (https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/) or call the 13 COVID help line on 13 268 43.
If you need more information about the free RAT program, please contact your school.
COVID-19 Update #14 – Free Government Supplied RAT’s for St Dominic’s Families
Leon Bolding
Principal
(on behalf of WA Health)