Doctor's referral needed for PCR testing by a private clinic
30 September 2022
A reminder that starting tomorrow,
Saturday 1 October 2022, a referral from a GP or other medical practitioner will be needed for PCR testing for
COVID-19 by private pathology providers.
Public COVID clinics will offer PCR
testing without a referral for people with COVID-like symptoms and asymptomatic close contacts to meet their
testing requirements during isolation.
The state-run COVID Clinics are at
Joondalup Hospital, PathWest Murdoch drive-through, Rockingham Hospital drive-through and Royal Perth
Hospital.
When demand for a PCR
test exceeds capacity at a State-run clinic, you may be provided with a rapid antigen test to do at home.
You should be tested as soon as you
develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 because that is when you are most infectious.
COVID-19 can cause a range of mild,
moderate, or severe symptoms, including:
- fever (≥37.50C) or recent history of fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- runny nose
- loss of smell or taste.
Rapid antigen tests (RATs)
are a safe, convenient, and fast way to test for COVID-19.
If you have COVID-like symptoms, take a
RAT or PCR test, and isolate until you receive a negative result.
If you have a negative RAT but are still
concerned you may have COVID-19, test again after 24 hours. Even if your result is negative, you should stay
home until your symptoms resolve to prevent spreading illness to others.
If you test positive to COVID-19, follow the instructions on What to do
when you test positive for COVID-19.