ACT considers school rapid antigen tests, Doherty Institute finds 'test to stay' as effective as quarantine

Doherty Institute modelling shown to national cabinet on Friday found children could safely remain at school during a COVID-19 outbreak if rapid antigen tests were used to quickly uncover and isolate cases.

The modelling said a "test to stay" system, keeping children at home only if they tested positive, worked as effectively as quarantining an entire class for seven days.

The Victorian government on Monday announced it would provide free rapid antigen tests, some producing a result within 15 minutes, to 20 COVID-hit schools.

From November 15, the tests will be supplied to unvaccinated children who were primary close contacts. Pupils will be allowed to return after just seven days in isolation, provided they returned a negative result.

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And with 12 schools across the ACT linked to infections, the territory government revealed it was considering following suit.

"Rapid antigen testing is one measure currently being considered, along with guidance on how it could best be used to enable students who are identified as close contacts to continue attending school and/or to assist in the early identification of cases in our schools," a spokesman said.

"We are working closely with NSW and Victoria on how to make best use of rapid antigen testing in schools and closely monitoring pilots being undertaken in these jurisdictions."

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr in September warned Canberrans they would mainly bear the cost of rapid antigen tests themselves, but left the door open to providing them in certain contexts.

Doherty's modelling found "test to stay" would on average cause one more infection in primary schools than a week in quarantine, and six fewer infections in high schools.

Head of modelling and biostatistics at the Burnet Institute Nick Scott said there was a "real logic" to the results despite some initial surprise.

"It makes a lot of sense, because you do cut off the infectious days spent in school by catching them in the morning before the students go to school," he said.

Dr Scott said it was up to Commonwealth and state governments to determine how the findings could be effectively implemented.

But he warned the value of "test to stay" in settings like workplaces was unclear, as children were less likely to transmit the virus.

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Nearly 70 per cent of Australia's 12 to 15 yearolds have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

In Victoria, 82.6 per cent were at least partially-vaccinated. But the state's announcement was particularly aimed children aged under 12, currently ineligible for the vaccine.

Authorities were mulling an application from Pfizer to vaccinate children as young as five, while Moderna was expected to submit its own bid within weeks.

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, with young children less likely to suffer severe COVID-19 symptoms, the government would not proceed until given the green light by medical authorities.

"We need to be very careful, we need to be very cautious," he said.

"Any parent I'm sure would want the government to be as careful as possible with the whole population, but particularly children aged five to 11.

"We'll be ready to go if and when the medical experts say it's safe to do so."

Lower vaccine coverage among Indigenous Australians has sparked fears for their safety as Australia opened up, particularly in remote communities.

Doherty recommended reactive vaccine approaches - including finding and immunising unvaccinated people via door-to-door searches - to work in conjunction with community-led programs during outbreaks.

Australians have been able to use rapid antigen tests in their home since the beginning of November. A five-pack cost roughly $50 at supermarkets and pharmacies.

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