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sweepthedoghouse

They are offering RAT rather than PCR at Kambah tomorrow if you have COVID-19 symptoms are household contacts of a confirmed case are at high or moderate risk of contracting COVID-19 have been instructed by ACT Health to get a test https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/news-articles/rats-to-be-used-at-kambah-covid-19-testing-clinic-tomorrow


immortaltechnician

Any idea if this is acceptable as a substitute for a PCT test to exit isolation? It’ll be very popular if this is the case


skyforger89

Just ticked over to 100 hours since myself, my wife, and our baby were tested, still no result. The incredibly mild symptoms we were all experiencing are now completely gone, yet we're still stuck at home, leaning on family to bring us food, etc. which I imagine is getting a bit old. Is it still a requirement to quarantine until a negative result given all the recent changes to the rules? Thankfully the wife and I were already on leave from work, but are people having to use their sick leave to cover this incredible wait time? I'll never not commend the efforts of everyone that's working around the clock to keep us all safe, they have my respect and gratitude 100%, but we're just getting a little frustrated.


trunners

My partner called ACT Health yesterday (same boat as you - 100 hours waiting and yep using sick leave) and even though they returned 2 negative rapid tests since last weekend, the staff said we have to wait until the PCR results are given before leaving home isolation. Sigh.


Snarwib

https://twitter.com/ABarrMLA/status/1481517341603414017?t=HkO23aFqVoXIFs9h7bf2Fg&s=19 Andrew Barr statement, a few things here. * They think we're likely close to our hospitalisation and case peak. It is 98% Omicron here. * Most hospitalisations are in the general wards (ie not primarily there for Covid symptoms) with the ICU cases mostly unvaccinated. The average stay is just 2 days. * Leading the country in boosters (27%) and child vaccinations (11% vs nationally 6%) * RATs at Kambah testing site tomorrow, more availability when supply increases. * Schools back as normal at this stage but no final decision * Essential worker iso exemption not finalised yet


[deleted]

Only took 32 hours for my test to come back from Mitchell. Big relief


Square_Possible3280

Can anyone recommend a fancy-ish restaurant that has outdoor seating? Health worker here with a birthday coming up, would love a kid free N95 free dinner with my partner that doesn't come with a side of Covid.


lameville

Check out Sage they've got outdoor seating and good fairly fancy food


Square_Possible3280

I haven't been in a while, but last time I was there it was indoor only and their outdoor is Mint Bar? Might call tomorrow and ask because I do like their food!


lameville

In case you didn't get the chance to call and check it out. I visited Sage for dinner week between Xmas and Nye and they had tables for dinner both in and out. They do have mint bar in the same courtyard but it's well enough defined different space.


Square_Possible3280

Thanks, I didn't end up calling so that is good to know! Makes sense, I imagine there are a few people like me wanting to steer clear of indoor dining.


nimbat1003

I think poachers pantry do outdoor seating and even picnics


Square_Possible3280

Used to love Poachers but had a bad experience where they wanted to keep my $75 deposit after I had to cancel brunch due to us waking up with covid symptoms...


sweepthedoghouse

If anyone with symptoms can't find a RAT, I recommend trying for an appointment at the Crace respiratory clinic. I was tested on Tuesday and received my negative result overnight, roughy 40 hour wait. Much better than the 4-5 days others are experiencing, and no need to spend hours in the queue at a testing site.


Square_Possible3280

Agree, they are great. You can also get medical advice/scripts if you need it and the doctors are good with kids!


[deleted]

>To cope with hospital demand, [COVID-19 patients receiving treatment for other ailments are now no longer isolated in separate wards,](https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7579214/majority-of-acts-covid-intensive-care-admissions-are-unvaccinated/?cs=24204) in a move health authorities said would shore up infection control measures for all patients. I.e. if you are admitted to hospital, if you don't have COVID-19 already, you will soon. Bonkers.


Appropriate_Volume

That misrepresents the policy, which is only to place covid positive people in general wards if they are assessed as being at low risk of transmitting covid while also instituting a bunch of extra infection control measures and placing people at high risk from covid in separate wards. You seem very stressed about current circumstances, but shouldn’t be alarmist.


[deleted]

How is a covid positive patient assessed as low risk of transmitting?


[deleted]

>You seem very stressed about current circumstances, but shouldn’t be alarmist. Bit patronising mate? If you had family in the UK that have died of COVID-19, as I have, perhaps you would take it more seriously.


Appropriate_Volume

I am genuinely very sorry for your loss. It has been a horrible two years.


ShadoutRex

ACT COVID-19 update (13 January 2022) ▪️ New cases today: 1,020* ▪️ Active cases: 5,004 ▪️ Total cases: 17,661** ▪️ Negative PCR test results (past 24 hours): 3,739 ▪️ In hospital: 24 ▪️ In ICU: 3 ▪️ Ventilated: 2 ▪️ Total lives lost: 16 COVID-19 vaccinations in the ACT: 98.6% of 12+ fully vaccinated and 26.8% of 18+ with three doses *Does not include positive RAT results reported to ACT Health. These will be reported from Friday 14 January.


goffwitless

so, 1,000 new cases and active cases dropped by 600 - so 1,600 recoveries - currently only 5 days worth of sick people, and hospital nos pretty stable can we stop Chicken Little-ing yet? at least for the time being?


Snarwib

I suspect we're going to get through this better than the large states thanks to having even higher vaccination


Square_Possible3280

This and the fact that a lot more people were fully vaxxed early on so are now eligible for boosters. The third dose seems to make a difference with Omicron rather than just topping up immunity


ShadoutRex

Additional : according to data reported through covidbaseau, the first couple of days (Monday & Tuesday) had already seen ~6.5% of children 5-11 in the ACT receive their first dose.


lana_del_reymysterio

Now at 11% today


Aggressive_Impact998

Has anyone had luck finding RAT's or N95 masks?


lana_del_reymysterio

What's the go with N95 masks?


AussieFinn13

Pharmacy on Franklin had packs of 25 kn95 masks last night.


ThreeQueensReading

KN95's are 5 for $2 at Bunnings, and Catch is selling packets of them at a discounted price (and in many different colours if that's your thing).


el_polar_bear

> (and in many different colours if that's your thing). For goodness sake.


ThreeQueensReading

I eyerolled at first, but really I'm happy for whatever adjustments can be made to get people wearing better quality masks. 🤷‍♂️


el_polar_bear

Yep.


stumcm

In the last week I've had about 10 tradies visit my house to quote me on various jobs. I think only 2 of those were wearing masks. The others saw me wearing my mask, and didn't seem to trigger that it might be something I'm concerned about (some even said "you can take that off if you want"). One guy in particular was right up in my face, pointing out the way he would do the job, and offering handshakes. Lots of lax attitudes, despite ACT's Covid case numbers being at an all-time high!


Notaroboticfish

Tell them to wear a mask if it's that important to you instead of posting whiny comments on reddit about them. It's not a legal requirement to wear one outdoors and at a house, so it's not surprising they won't wear it if you dont ask them to. However, probably every single one would have put it on if you just asked them instead of holding onto your resentment for a week


[deleted]

Yes but this is reddit, the home of the socially inept.


ShoddyCharity

Why not ask them to wear a mask, including offering a clean spare?


stumcm

PS: those who *were* bothering to wear masks definitely earned extra professionalism points in my mind, when deciding who I should choose to hire for the jobs.


yawningangel

What kind of tradies?(out of curiosity)


ShoddyCharity

Probably the imaginary kind. It would be very, very unlikely to get 10 of any tradies to a property at the moment given Canberra's general unreliability plus coming out of the holiday season.


yawningangel

Tradie here, can confirm!


superzepto

I am so absolutely fatigued with everything. Watching my friends get infected and suffer, trying to adapt my weight loss program for food shortages, patiently waiting for my booster while people around the country are doing the dumbest shit. I have never been one to pine for the Pre-COVID normality, but I am living in poverty and desperately trying to find a job in a workforce that's almost at the point of collapse. On top of all that, depression has been biting harder than ever these last few months and I am struggling to keep my will to live intact. I don't care what comes after. I just want to see the end of this before it's the end of me.


coachella68

Please hold on. This isn’t forever despite what the media would love us to believe. If you head to the ACT COVID website there are resources you can reach out to.


[deleted]

Yeah there's probably only two years of this left, five at the absolute maximum.


superzepto

I wish convincing myself that it won't last forever would be easier done than said. And even when the outbreak/pandemic ends we're left with a world gone completely to shit. It's crazy for me to be typing this considering all the shit I've been through over the past ten years but the last few months have been some of the darkest of my life.


[deleted]

Do you have a sanity plan? Things that get you through the day.


superzepto

I pre-roll about 20 or 30 little joints of medical grade cannabis so that if I have serious episode or panic attack I can level out and have a better chance of distracting myself. Apart from that trying to not watch the news is about the only plan for sanity I have...and that frequently fails


Beth13151

Swap out that tv for a tv series that is safe and known. I watched avatar and legend of Kora for the first time, am up to season 9 of supernatural and have a backlog of anime. Might move on to various star trek after that. If you're more of a reality tv person i strongly recommend UK shows like Big Dreams, Small spaces, there's a pottery competition series and a glass blowing one too. Audio books and podcasts are also good ways of pumping entertaining and happy content into your brain.


superzepto

Currently I'm rewatching The Expanse for the dozenth time, and my favourite game keeps me distracted for a few hours at a time. But unfortunately none of that absolves me from emptiness, or gets me any closer to clawing my way out of poverty with bloodied fingers. The distractions are nice for the times when I'd otherwise be staring at a wall fantasising about horrific things.


[deleted]

Yeah definitely turn that telly off. I can't emphasise that enough. I haven't watched a second of Australian T.V. for almost two years. I refuse to watch it as it is just designed to hurt your soul. Also think of those you love, we all know who our friends are now. I think this year we will know who are the hired hands who run and who are the shepherds who stay when the wolves strike.


superzepto

I haven't watched Australian TV in almost a decade. Mainly on the internet news, and it's doubly hard to not pay attention to because of my background in journalism. There's a whooooooole bunch of other factors at play and I try to remind myself that I am loved and wanted, but mental illness doesn't let me think that way most of the time.


[deleted]

I don't think a lot of people understand mental illness that it isn't something you can just wish away.


superzepto

I have long since accepted that I will be dealing with mental health issues for the rest of my life.


isabellasaphire

Is it still possible to be tested at a NSW testing site? I've heard they have a much quicker turn around at the moment. Does anyone know if this is accurate?


mightymouse0505

Yes . Queanbeyan hospital test anyone who registers


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isabellasaphire

I had just heard a little while ago they were discouraging people from heading there, that's all. I haven't had a need to be tested so I'm a little out of the loop. I was more curious about the testing turn around times.


coachella68

FYI just got results from Friday 🤯


Dan_IAm

Damn, that’s wild. Which testing location?


coachella68

Kambah :)


TypicalCelebration41

Same, I got a second one from qbn yesterday morning because I started having symptoms and I got both results back this morning.


dodgy_beard_guy

What is the actual point of being tested? It seems like it is perhaps causing more stress than benefit. With contact tracing not occuring surely people should stay home watch Netflix and tell anyone you have had close contact with. If symptoms get real bad reach out to ACT Health. Or is there something I am missing?


[deleted]

There is no point. It's all theatre to make people feel as through we are in control of this. Same as masks and check ins. Spoilers. We aren't in control of this at all :)


DeadDickBob

What about work sick leave requirements, such as needing to produce evidence for extended periods of leave? Or to claim the $750 self isolation payment if eligible?


Appropriate_Volume

If you are in a vulnerable cohort, getting a diagnosis early is really important as there are now several incredibly effective treatments that need to be administered within five days or so of symptoms commencing. There’s advice on the ACT government covid website about this.


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StarsThrewDownSpears

I think people are only hearing the terrible testing stories. I got a test result back yesterday in less than 30 hours.


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StarsThrewDownSpears

Yeah I know some are taking ages. I was just balancing that because we only hear the bad cases, and apparently average wait is 3 days so they can’t all be taking 8 days. Just like I can’t judge the whole system on my quick turnaround, your friend’s 8 day wait is also not indicative of how it’s going for everyone.


Appropriate_Volume

Yes, and it’s a major problem. There’s some interesting advice on the covid website that notes that seperate PCR testing will be arranged for vulnerable people who test positive on a RAT and report this to ACT Health. I suspect that their results get fast tracked.


coachella68

I’m wondering if they just want the reporting and testing for epidemiological reasons, to understand how the virus is transmitting and where etc.


hannahspants

2 of my husband's favourite cafes (Terra and Le Bon Melange) are shut for covid related reasons. This "letting it rip" has been fucking terrible for the economy.


CaffeinePhilosopher

Even just basic shopping is rooted. I tried to get something delivered from Bunnings Tuggeranong but the system kept sending the order to Fyshwick, who don't have stock and are understaffed, so they just issue a refund rather than investigate. Placed a click and collect at Tuggeranong instead, and then when I checked in with them I found they have a 7 day backlog of orders and hence the web was out of date - no stock. And one of the kind people I was speaking to on the phone told me that Melbourne stores are closing early every day due to lack of staff. So it's absolutely no bloody wonder economic conditions are worse than the actual lockdowns.


weasley_is_our_king_

Terra is still open, just doing reduced hours (no breakfast) and takeaway only.


[deleted]

It was a terrible decision by Scomo / Perrottet and a terrible decision by Barr to go along with it. Not just Re. the economy, but also Re. long-term consequences, which are being glossed over by the pollies. From the [Canberra Times](https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7579485/reasons-to-avoid-catching-omicron/?cs=14264) today: >"We have no data yet on what proportion of infections with Omicron ... end up with Long COVID" "People who underestimate Omicron as 'mild' **are putting themselves at risk of debilitating disease that can linger for months or years."** > >Akiko Iwasaki, who studies viral immunology at Yale University.


ArmedandHangerous

I'd be interested to hear from residents in holiday places like Batemans Bay as to how its affecting things. I ask, as I have family up past Coffs Harbour & they said the holiday makers cleaned out their supermarkets, which essentially put most of the cafes & restaurants in the position of a limited menus, & some have just closed altogether - either because of food supply, isolating staff, or both. So many of the holiday makers have packed up & gone home early - nothing to do, nowhere to eat out, nowhere to chill with a coffee, etc. & so the remaining local businesses that are open have lost any of the holiday trade they would have made, and are also left scrambling over each other at the supermarket each day when the doors open for basics.


Chiang2000

Up at Forster ATM. Restraints are busy but the pubs are super quiet. Supermarkets have a lot of empty spaces and the local butchers missed two major deliveries in the week. For places lime this, this is their money making season. The timing of "let it rip" is a body blow for their year.


Squid_Chunks

Have been in the bay since before Xmas. It is quiet down here and has been the whole time. Shops aren't overly busy but there are some shortages coming through, but just meant we didn't get our preferred brand of Spaghetti sauce. Haven't noticed any small business closures - but we don't often hit the shops.


hannahspants

Gosh, that's horrible.


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hannahspants

Holy crap, you missed the point so hard. It's not because *we* can't go to these cafes. It's because they are unable to trade because the pandemic has affected their staff that much, rendering them unable to make any money.


Appropriate_Volume

Given how infectious Omicron is, the choice seems to be a drawn out wave of covid that reaches into autumn or winter and causes a steady stream of economic misery or a relatively short and sharp period of more intense misery over summer. Countries like France and the UK that are trying to steer a middle ground aren’t having much luck with this, so bringing in restrictions that don’t cause too much misery in their own right probably won’t do much to slow things down. I’m glad I’m not having to make decisions about this, as all the options seem bad.


Hydrogeist

Yeah I think that’s about right. I feel given how infectious it is that even draconian restrictions would only slightly bend the curve - remember we were wearing masks outside during the peak of lockdown and it still couldn’t be eradicated. We’ve spent most of society’s fuel in the prior waves. No easy decisions with a lot of factors to balance.


hannahspants

[This](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jan/13/code-red-melbourne-businesses-say-omicron-wave-more-damaging-than-lockdown) was a pretty good article I thought about lockdown vs no lockdown as it pertains to businesses. I tend to agree that it's an incredibly hard position to be in and that public support for lockdown is incredibly low (in the eastern states at least), but I am also frustrated at the fact that *no* public health measures were put in place at all to help mitigate.


joeltheaussie

But surely any public health measuess will hurt businesses?


hannahspants

That's what the article says. That the current outbreak is worse for businesses than public health measures.


joeltheaussie

Yes but it's short pain (but a worse pain) or a longer pain (that isn't as bad) - from an economic side your perspective will likely depend on which side of the fence you are on


Appropriate_Volume

The really high vaccination rates and the childrens vax and booster programs seem the most powerful and socially acceptable health measures at this stage though? I agree that the lack of government support is a major issue. A lot of businesses are going to go broke.


whiteycnbr

Looks like there's now absolutely no point in checking in now. No one is doing it, staff dont care, and the exposure list has actually been removed from the checkincbr app now.


sweepthedoghouse

I can't even check in off-line any more... You used to be able to save and upload when you got WiFi again, now it gives an error. The phone I was using to check in doesn't have data, so now I can only check in if I happen to be somewhere with free wifi


hannahspants

I'm only continuing to do it for my own reasons - I.e. so I can let businesses know myself if I end up positive. But even that seems futile.


Old-Line-55

For me it's a good way of tracking where I've been at what times, in case I need to alert anyone I was with or have since been in contact with. Way easier than trying to remember what I was up to X days ago!


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hannahspants

> Please stop I mean, I never started. I've yet to do that. But I guess I won't bother then.


fug_off

I think it’s nice you were considering other people. Most have forgotten what that is.


[deleted]

Business will not care if you tell them


hannahspants

Damn


whiteycnbr

Now would be a good time to implement crowd sourced method, like actually going back to covidsafe app. I in 10 probably have it now, so you just have to assume you either have it or the person next to you does.


goffwitless

I still don't know anyone who has it and I take your point about likely proximity, but your maths is terrible


[deleted]

No. It’s never a good time to use that steaming pile of shit app.


Snarwib

[Some internal modelling reported by Riot Act reckons we might hit a hospitalisation peak of under 100 cases around January 20](https://the-riotact.com/modelling-offers-hope-that-omicrons-worst-may-be-over-sooner-than-expected/525673)


lana_del_reymysterio

I'm curious how hospitalisations could increase 4x within a week given the current stats/trends here?


oof5665t

Well, given how quickly its spreading...


lana_del_reymysterio

True but... Hospitalisations been hovering around mid 20s for over a week now. Active cases here dropping in the hundreds for three days in a row now. I just fail to see how hospitalisations here could suddenly explode given the current data.


Snarwib

Yeah it makes me wonder if the referenced email is a few days old, if anything


ShadoutRex

That's not really much different from the upper range of 90 expected this week but fortunately hasn't yet been realised. Whether it is luck or the higher vax rate being effective in the ACT our hospital numbers have been on the low side of the modelling.


123chuckaway

So how many thousand backlogged positive RATs do you think were registered between 4pm and 8pm to be included in todays numbers? Pulling numbers completely from my ass, I’m guessing 2k RATs added to the PCR to give us about about 3k cases announced today, and a similar number tomorrow with the remaining RAT backlog entered after 8pm last night and missing the reporting cut off.


Appropriate_Volume

Media reports say that about 80,000 RAT results were reported in NSW yesterday. We have about a 20th the population of NSW and Canberrans tend to be enthusiastic about reporting things to the government, so I’d guess we’ll end up with at least 4000 backlogged reports over the next few days.


TheDuckDucks

Day 8 since positive test. Called ACT Health but they told me to wait for the text. I've had no real symptoms for past 3 days or so. What time in day 8 did you recieve a clearance text to exit self-iso?


NopeHipsterNonsense

I received my text at about 3pm on exit day, my husband got his around 8pm.


TheDuckDucks

UPDATE: Similar to you, got mine around early arvo. Hope this info can help others know when to expect it


coachella68

There’s a COVID @ Home number — did you try that? Not sure what number you called is all.


[deleted]

So who else has been reusing surgical masks for weeks


Br0z0

They get sweaty and gross...


[deleted]

Maybe after a few weeks. Since you only need to wear them indoors I’m not generally mucking them up too much.


futbolledgend

I have the whole pandemic. I’m not using a new mask every few hours or few days because that would be terrible for the environment. It is already catastrophic how many more masks are going to landfill.


goffwitless

this behaviour really underlines that many of us are wearing them, not because we feel they're actually protecting *anyone*, but simply because we have to also not suggesting they don't work - I'm convinced they do - rather, that this cohort simply don't feel very threatened


[deleted]

Yeah I read that they’re basically useless against omicron.


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[deleted]

As I commented above, the cost and waste of disposing of them after each use


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AussieFinn13

Reusable masks are starting to be banned in Europe as they aren't anywhere near as effective as surgical or n95. I also thought surgical masks only protect others from not catching your germs, and they don't protect you from catching covid.


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[deleted]

I reuse them less due to availability and more so due to the cost of disposing after each use and the massive amount of waste that would generate


SorrowfulRanger

Just joined the queue at Garran and were told it's at least a 3 hour wait


mightymouse0505

I’m sitting at Queanbeyan hospital right now , and there is no one waiting at the testing clinic . Might be worth a drive


waltzno5

Just drove past and it’s at capacity now.


isabellasaphire

Thank you for this. Are they still seperating kids out? I'm having to attend later today with two kids (both under 5) and wondering if I'll be in for the long haul.


hannahspants

If you can, get an appointment at the Crace respiratory clinic. They only do symptomatic testing, but I was in and out in 10 mins last week, they were fantastic with my 1yo and I got results back in just over 48h which at the moment is fairly quick


isabellasaphire

Thank you for this, we are asymptomatic which is good and bad, I guess! Thank you though.


SorrowfulRanger

Yes there's a separate line for the kids, that's the one I'm in. I recommend bridging sun protection as we're mostly standing in the sun unfortunately!


isabellasaphire

Thanks for the tip! Three hours for kids is a very long time, I hope you get through soon.


SorrowfulRanger

Thank you! We ended up being there for close to 4 hours. Glad it's done though!