RATS PLAGUE STORAGE SHED
THOUSANDS of rapid antigen tests bought by the NT government are sitting in a large fridge waiting to be used.
The Sunday Territorian understands the NT government is forking out about $4000 a week to put the RATs in cold storage until such a time comes when they are needed, with up to $16m worth of RATs in the Wyuna Cold Stores facility.
An NT government spokeswoman said the Northern Territory had 1.3 million RATs on hand.
“Individuals can collect rapid antigen tests for free from NT distribution centres and regional health clinics to take away and perform testing as per directions,” the spokeswoman said.
The government recently started looking for a threeyear tender to supply up to $110m worth of tests.
The large arsenal of RATs comes as the government warns authorities are preparing for a “cocirculation of Covid-19 and the flu” in the southern winter months.
Despite the Covid jab being free, a spokesman for Chief Minister Michael Gunner did not say whether the NT government was open to the prospect of free flu shots.
Mr Gunner attended national cabinet on Friday, where state leaders agreed to mandate the flu jab for certain workers in high-risk settings.
The spokesman said further information on the Territory’s health response to the looming Covid-flu season would be unveiled in coming days.
“The NT chief health officer will provide advice to a future SEMC regarding flu jabs for people working in high-risk settings, and on managing the potential co-circulation in the
Territory more broadly,” he said.
The flu vaccine is free for the elderly, people under 5, Aboriginal people, those with chronic conditions and pregnant women.