Rapid Antigen Kits rollout for Albury schools to encounter some turbulence

The test kits were made available by the NSW government this week in response to the worsening COVID-19 outbreak in Albury and the widespread impact on city schools.

Professor Chant said the two-fold aim of the kits would be surveillance to prevent further cases and targeting close contacts of confirmed cases.

"It is a work in progress because we need to work in partnership with parents, principals," she said.

"We've used it in other setting like aged care and disability.

"People do the test and it gives us an early indication.

"If it's positive it could still be a false positive and we are setting up processes to get rapid confirmation of that.

"But it reduces the likelihood there is an infectious child at school and therefore any of that flow on impact.

"The other way we are using it is reducing the time a child has to be off if they are a close contact.

"We're not expecting this to be a long-term strategy, but a short-term strategy to minimise disruptions to schools and keep them open."

Professor Chant stressed the rapid tests were not recommended for people who have got symptoms of COVID-19.

"It is recommended you get the more sensitive PCR test (if that is the case)," she said.

Mr Clancy conceded: "There will be challenges as we introduce that process and embed that process".

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