Free RAT program ends

THE City of Greater Geelong facilities will cease offering free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) as The Victorian Government’s Council COVID-19 RAT Distribution Program comes to a close.

In 2023 the City handed out more than 663,000 free RAT kits at customer service centres, libraries and leisure centres.

The program, which has been twice extended will end when current supplies run out.

Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken said the program gave the community quick and free access to COVID-19 testing.

“This has helped individuals keep themselves and their families safe during and since the pandemic, and has been especially valuable for those with vulnerable family members.”

“We thank the Victorian Government for providing this program, which has been well received by the Greater Geelong community.”

RATs are available to all community members while supplies last.

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker recently advised that it is still recommended to seek a test if you display symptoms of COVID-19.

According to the ABS 20,755 of the 658,524 death registrations received by the ABS between March 2020 and November 2023 were of people who died from or with COVID-19.

The underlying cause of death for 16,472 (79.4%) of these people was COVID-19.

There were a further 4,283 people who died of other causes (e.g. cancer) but COVID-19 contributed to their death.

RATs are available to purchase from local pharmacies and some supermarkets, while Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests can be obtained by referral from a GP.