Canberra testing clinics may stay closed as Omicron spreads, as ACT Health struggles with low PCR and rapid antigen supply

The directorate said the lack of supply of PCR tests was partly caused by the high demand for testing, as Omicron spreads across Canberra.

"[Supply] is an ongoing issue due to an increased demand for testing, the requirement to test each sample individually rather than pooling and freight and logistics issues relating to workforce impacts of COVID-19," ACT Health said.

"The ACT government will continue to provide a mix of testing opportunities across our testing sites over the coming days.

"The services we provide will continue to be assessed on a day-to-day basis based on the availability of testing supplies."

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Capital Pathology-run clinics at Nicholls and Holt were closed on Tuesday.

Rapid antigen kits at the ACT Health Kambah centre were limited to one per person, rather than the two previously available. Anyone who needed a follow-up test was advised to come back at another time.

The Kambah testing centre only distributed rapid tests, with PCR tests available at the Mitchell drive through clinic or Garran surge centre.

Canberra's COVID testing labs are under strain as increased workload and a shortage in supplies mean staff members are working long hours to provide results.

This comes as the demand for RATs in the ACT and across Australia continues to outstrip demand. The ACCC revealed on Monday that price gouging of RAT kits had been reported across the nation.

Meanwhile, modelling by the ACT's public health system suggests the territory has reached the peak of this Omicron wave with 1601 new cases and another death announced on Monday.

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