Twice-weekly RATs possible for all at peak omicron

NZ could be using nine million RAT tests a week at the height of an omicron outbreak. (Image: supplied)

Tue, 01 Feb 2022

Some 55 million of the 123 million rapid antigen tests (RATs) that the government has ordered are due to arrive over the next eight weeks.That will allow the use of about nine million RATs weekly at the height of the impending omicron outbreak, which modelling suggests may peak in March and be subsiding by early May. This implies enough supply for two tests a week for all New Zealanders at the height of the outbreak.Today’s statement by associate health minister Ayesha Verrall suggests government orders have doubled over the weekend, as t...

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