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Kowheori-19 │ Covid-19: PCR Testing

Topic

Overview

Testing has been a critical element of the Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing health officials to identify cases, manage clusters and assess the success of other public health measures such as social distancing. Two main types of tests have been used in New Zealand: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); and Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).

Until early 2022 PCR tests were the Government’s primary mode of testing. To carry out a PCR test, a registered healthcare professional would take a sample from the patient, most commonly by swabbing the back of the nose or throat, then place the swab in a plastic sampling tube containing a transport medium and send it to an accredited laboratory for testing. Results generally took 2 to 5 days.

Swabbing procedure for PCR tests

Te Awakairangi Health Network provided PCR testing services at community-based assessment centres in the Hutt Valley area. In 2020 they gifted to Te Papa an unused set of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and an unused virus sampling kit.

Health workers collecting swabs wore PPE in order to mitigate the risk of infection. When taking swabs from patients with suspected Covid-19 infections, health workers were required to wear an impervious long-sleeved gown, disposable gloves, a surgical mask and eye protection.

Staff at Te Awakairangi Health Network wore two pairs of gloves, and once the swab and sampling tube had been placed within the two plastic biohazard collection bags, the top layer of gloves was removed and discarded. The second layer was sprayed with antibacterial spray, and a new pair of gloves put on top. Masks and gowns were replaced twice daily (unless the mask became damp), and once removed the used equipment was immediately discarded. The plastic goggles were sprayed with anti-bacterial spray between morning and evening sessions.

Correct procedure for donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) PPE is vital to its efficacy, and a great deal of concentration was needed to ensure that the right process was carried out each and every time. Staff at Te Awakairangi Health Network worked in pairs to ensure proper practice could be maintained.

Supply of PPE

After the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in 2005 the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards set up a national reserve of PPE to ensure sufficient supplies would be available in the event of a pandemic. In the early stages of the Covid-19 crisis the Ministry of Health reiterated that New Zealand had good ‘rock solid’ supplies of PPE. However, in March and early April 2020 media reports emerged of community support workers being unable to access PPE, having to wash and reuse disposable masks, and of hospital workers being issued equipment that was more than a decade old.

A subsequent report by the Auditor General found gaps in planning for PPE procurement and distribution, which meant that in the early stages of the outbreak the Ministry was not well positioned to ensure that PPE was available in sufficient quantities across the country. From April 14 the Ministry introduced a centralised national system for prioritising, allocating, and distributing PPE stock.

References

First published 19 April 2021, updated 7 November 2022

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