‘Panther’ will boost testing

A MACHINE known as a “panther” is heading to Toowoomba, with the aim of bolstering Queensland’s capability to test for COVID-19.

These new machines, purchased by the State Government, will be based at Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton Hospital laboratories, adding to the four Panthers bought earlier this year for the GCUH, Cairns, Townsville and Central laboratories.

Currently only the Pathology Queensland Central laboratory, Pathology Queensland Townsville laboratory and FSS Coopers Plains laboratory have the capability to undertake respiratory virus and COVID-19 testing.

“Queensland Health is uniquely placed as a public pathology provider – it has two distinct analytical test platforms and assays, and has plans to install more,” Health Minister Steven Miles said.

“This ensures we are well prepared and well placed for all novel coronavirus scenarios as demand increases for worldwide stocks.

“This will support us not just as we continue to respond to COVID-19 in 2020, but for the upcoming influenza season, and COVID-19 over the coming years as the globe continues to learn, diagnose and treat our community.”

The State Government will pay $897,000 for the three new Hologic Panther Fusion Instruments.

Queensland Health uses the “gold standard” of viral testing, known as polymerase chain reaction testing.

This is a three phase test, which involves the extraction, purification, amplification and detection of virus DNA.

Queensland’s two largest private pathology providers, Queensland Medical Laboratories and Sullivan and Nicolaides Pathology, have developed testing capability and are supporting most of the private sector demand.