Rule change for Covid-19 testing

Queues at some testing centres have grown longer than during lockdown, as people seek to be checked following news of new cases at the border.

But the Ministry of Health yesterday changed the rules for people seeking Covid-19 tests.

The ‘‘suspect’’ case definition has been removed, meaning greater priority will be given to those considered to have a higher risk of having the virus.

The ministry denied the change would make it more difficult for others to get a test, saying instead that it allows those at higher risk to be managed better.

According to the new case definition released yesterday, people with respiratory symptoms who have had contact with a confirmed or probable case, have recently arrived from overseas, or had direct contact with an international traveller in the last 14 days will be given priority.

International air crew and shipping crew, airport or maritime port cleaners also meet the criteria, called the ‘‘higher index of suspicion’’.

Those deemed to be lower risk – who don’t meet the new criteria – may still be tested, but don’t necessarily need to self-isolate while awaiting results.

Earlier this week, Health Minister David Clark said the Government expected there to be a ‘‘low bar to meet to obtain a Covid-19 test’’.

Yesterday, the directorgeneral of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield insisted the amended definition, which has been a ‘‘work in progress’’ for weeks, would not make it harder to get tested.

Bloomfield said the bar is still set at whether someone has respiratory symptoms.

People aren’t required to have just a fever or cough, there is still a wide group of symptoms linked to the case definition, but a cough or runny nose didn’t ‘‘require’’ a test, he said.

Previously, anyone with symptoms aligning with those of the virus, such as a runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, could seek and be granted a test. They could be treated as a ‘‘suspect’’ case while they waited for results.

The changes were initially published on the Ministry of Health website on Wednesday.

‘‘We are currently in a position where people with an acute respiratory infection are not automatically considered a suspect case, so we have removed the term suspect case,’’ a statement from the ministry read.

The criteria changed after testing demand surged across the country. The increase followed confirmation of two cases on June 16, which put an end to the country’s 24-day case-free streak.

‘‘We are currently in a position where people with an acute respiratory infection are not automatically considered a suspect case.’’

Ministry of Health