New database to track tracing delay

ANY breakdowns in Victoria’s testing, tracing and isolation regimen will be reported to a new national database designed to head off further coronavirus outbreaks.

Amid mounting concern about contact tracing delays, the national cabinet has decided all states must transparently report on how long it is taking them to identify cases, finalise results, carry out tracing protocols, and isolate, test and follow up close contacts.

It comes as Australian Defence Force personnel hit the streets to doorknock coronavirus patients who are refusing to co-operate with health authorities, with 25 per cent unable to be contacted with 24 hours of positive test results.

A flying squad of 23 teams — including the ADF and authorised health officers — will visit anyone diagnosed if they cannot be contacted after two calls in a two-hour window, or if they will not answer questions in a contact tracing interview.

It came after News Corp revealed confusion over who should be forced to isolate after coronavirus tests.

Daniel Andrews said on Thursday that “people should isolate while they wait for a test result”. His office later said: “If you are asymptomatic and you have a test you do not have to self-isolate — but if you are a close contact you must isolate.”

The Premier said on Friday that coronavirus patients who had to be visited by the ADF teams would be fined if they were not isolating at home.

Mr Andrews warned it was “unacceptable” that disease detectives were playing “phone tag”.

“They will bring that public health response to you. It’s not something to be afraid of. It’s about everyone working together,” the Premier said.

Speaking after Friday’s national cabinet meeting, Scott

Morrison said the new national data requirements would make sure “we’re picking up at the earliest possible opportunity where there may be some vulnerabilities”.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly said a “much more granular picture” was needed on the time it was taking for test results to be delivered, and for contact tracing to be completed.

“The aim there, absolutely, to really stress it is every case, every day,” Prof Kelly said.