COVID-19 tests unavailable as cases rise, south-west MP Roma Britnell tests positive

South West Coast MP Roma Britnell has spoken out about the difficulty of accessing COVID-19 testing as cases spike in Warrnambool and across the state.

Her frustration was echoed by dozens of locals through social media as they search desperately for both PCR and rapid antigen tests.

Ms Britnell tested positive while visiting family in Melbourne, receiving her positive result from a rapid antigen test, but has so far been unable to access a corroborative PCR test.

She said the lack of testing availability was a major problem.

"When I started getting symptoms I couldn't even find a rapid antigen test, it was only that a friend happened to have a spare one that I could get tested," she said.

"But now here I am spending a whole day driving around trying to find a testing centre that's open and standing in line for a PCR test rather than isolating."

Current government requirements stipulate a person must get a PCR test to confirm their result if they test positive using a rapid test. They can only start their seven-day isolation period from the date of their PCR test.

Ms Britnell said if she couldn't access a PCR test on Monday she would have to go out again on Tuesday and start another search.

"I will effectively have to spend eight days isolating because I can't find a PCR test when I already know I have COVID," she said.

"It is the same in Warrnambool where the testing site is closed today. It was open in Portland from 9.30am to 1.30pm, but was booked out before it opened."

Ms Britnell said the state government was to blame for the situation.

"The government has completely failed. We knew something like this was coming after the previous waves," she said.

"I registered 18 months ago with the government as a nurse with capabilities that could be called upon if necessary. I still haven't been contacted and there were 16,000 nurses on that register, yet they're having to close testing centres."

She also asked why the government hadn't yet made the 34 million rapid antigen tests it had ordered available to the public.

"I think they are lying about having the 34 million tests," she said.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley announced the purchase of 34 million rapid antigen tests on December 29. The Department of Health confirmed the tests would be publicly available by the end of January.

Ms Britnell said she was suffering from a range of symptoms including a sore throat, fever and body aches.

"I'm treating it like the flu, taking plenty of paracetamol. It's not the worst I've ever felt," she said.

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Many south-west residents took to The Standard's social media to report their struggles in trying to track the kits down and pharmacies posting signs alerting potential customers of their lack of stock.

Robbie Mallett reported being told by the Merri Street testing clinic staff in Warrnambool they were only testing those who returned a positive rapid antigen test.

"However, so many can't find a RAT to administer the test," he said.

Cody Jane has been frustrated by the lack of testing.

"I've called several pharmacies and have gone to four supermarkets to which no one has any rapid and with public holidays I won't be able to book until tomorrow? It's so frustrating."

Leah Dodge said she was told her PCR test result could take up to five days after lining up for 35 minutes at Portland District Health.

Patricia Bentham couldn't find any rapid antigen tests in Portland and was told there were none available state-wide.

Rachel Morgan Brown tried six supermarkets in Warrnambool, as well as Ponting's, Spotlight and two chemists on Sunday and couldn't find any rapid antigen tests.

On Monday morning Ashley Paige Quinsey said she waited more than 3.5 hours to be tested at Western District Health in Hamilton.

Jess Casey found there was no testing available in Colac until Tuesday. "No testing was available over the weekend either, the testing clinic is closed and the pathology lab is only doing testing for travellers passing through," she said. "Rapid antigen tests are sold out in town also."

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