Faster COVID-19 testing coming to Geraldton

New rapid COVID-19 testing will soon be available in Geraldton as the State Government rolls out on-site testing analysers in regional areas.

GeneXpert® molecular PCR analysers will be installed in the PathWest office at Geraldton Hospital, the Government announced today.

Using the test, COVID-19 results will be available within an hour.

The first of the analysers will be installed in Broome next week, then Kalgoorlie and Geraldton with feasibility studies under-way for future roll-out in other regional centres.

They will be used for people with a higher risk of COVID-19, such as health care workers, police, hospital patients, people living in Aboriginal communities and those in contact with a confirmed case.

Health Minister Roger Cook said a quick turnaround time was essential to managing the global health crisis.

“This is another way we are increasing testing capacity in the system, and forms part of our extensive testing program,” he said.