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NZ currently has 200,000 naso-pharageal swabs available
Each COVID swab takes 1 minute, from opening the packet to placing in the medium and sealing
Another 9 minutes to document, check, clean, change gloves, place in transport box and prep for the next client
Each COVID swab takes 1 minute, from opening the packet to placing in the medium and sealing
Another 9 minutes to document, check, clean, change gloves, place in transport box and prep for the next client
So that's 6 an hour per staff member
Aircraft are carrying upto 300 passengers at a time
To do landing tests in under an hour would require 50 swabbers
Aircraft are carrying upto 300 passengers at a time
To do landing tests in under an hour would require 50 swabbers
The closest testing facility is 30 minutes away
The prep time for each swab is also 30 minutes
To turn these around in under an hour requires 150 staff
The prep time for each swab is also 30 minutes
To turn these around in under an hour requires 150 staff
The testing platforms used take 6-8 hrs to run
Assume they all go on the quickest, that's 6 hrs
So far we're at 8 hrs and need 200 staff to reach the supposed testing times being reported in the media
Assume they all go on the quickest, that's 6 hrs
So far we're at 8 hrs and need 200 staff to reach the supposed testing times being reported in the media
These testing times are actually those the platform manufactures advertise and are based solely on a single test running without any collection or prep time
Now add in reporting
The test result is checked and validated. Then sent to the MoH. It's checked again against the list of those tested (don't want to send the wrong info out) with the result passed on either by txt, email or for airline arrivals, in person
The test result is checked and validated. Then sent to the MoH. It's checked again against the list of those tested (don't want to send the wrong info out) with the result passed on either by txt, email or for airline arrivals, in person
So another hr added to the time and more staff
This is one of the reasons why we don't test immediately upon landing
The other being we'd likely miss a lot of positives due to low viral levels
This is one of the reasons why we don't test immediately upon landing
The other being we'd likely miss a lot of positives due to low viral levels
These we would catch at day 3 and 12 (no guarantee though) but would have wasted time, resources and, yes, money with the landing test
So what about the 'blood test'?
Its quicker...
Its also inaccurate, doesn't catch those with low/no antibodies and doesn't show if you're currently infected
Remember also I said this is for one plane. Imagine if two or three landed in a short time period!
Its quicker...
Its also inaccurate, doesn't catch those with low/no antibodies and doesn't show if you're currently infected
Remember also I said this is for one plane. Imagine if two or three landed in a short time period!
I'm not saying the system we have is perfect, it isnt
Posted this as a reminder that the logistics to test at landing are pretty daunting and to do so would require a huge amount of space/time/staff
Posted this as a reminder that the logistics to test at landing are pretty daunting and to do so would require a huge amount of space/time/staff
Just for interest
200000 swabs results in 20 days of tests, if run non stop
Those theoretical 50 swabbers would take 27 days to use them all up if they worked 24/7
200000 swabs results in 20 days of tests, if run non stop
Those theoretical 50 swabbers would take 27 days to use them all up if they worked 24/7
