Geelong Covid tests saga

GEELONG residents have expressed frustration after being caught up in a Covid testing mess that led to their results being declared invalid.

Locals are among thousands of Victorians to receive a text message from Melbourne Pathology informing them their PCR sample was “no longer suitable to be tested”.

It is believed the issue is linked to samples sitting in the lab for too long, causing tests to lose their efficacy. was getting no help for our sick kids,” she said. “It’s extremely frustrating, because we just couldn’t get any help.”

Another Armstrong Creek resident, Simon Parrott, was also bemused after being informed his PCR sample was invalid.

Mr Parrott was in Lorne with his partner when he went for a PCR test after returning a positive result on a rapid antigen test.

The couple was forced to isolate at home for a week as they waited for confirmation of whether he had the virus.

Mr Parrott said he felt “bewilderment” and “disappointment” when he learnt his sample could not be tested.

“You sort of try to do the right thing and then it’s like, ‘Yeah, sorry, it hasn’t worked out’,” he said.

“It’s frustrating because other people are relying on the information as well. It’s not just me.

“I understand everyone is under the pump – and those guys more than anybody – but it does affect everyone.”

The testing drama came as the state recorded 44,155 new coronavirus cases on Sunday.

There were 316 new cases in Greater Geelong, while 95 cases were recorded in Surf Coast Shire. The Borough of Queenscliffe added six new cases.

Five people with the virus are in ICU at Geelong hospital, while a further 33 patients are receiving treatment in the hospital’s general ward.

There are now 6070 active cases in the Barwon South West region.