House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-11-17 Daily Xml

Contents

Coronavirus Testing

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): My question is to the Premier. Is the Premier considering any additional measures to assist those South Australians who are currently queueing at testing stations for, reportedly, up to 10 hours?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:04): Yesterday, we did expand our capacity within our testing stations, especially those at Parafield Airport, Elizabeth and also Magill and Victoria Park. My understanding is that yesterday we had a near record day in terms of the number of people seeking to be tested. There were in excess of 5,300 who went through one of our sites, plus what would have happened in the private sector. We haven't got an update on that number yet, but I think yesterday was probably very close to, if not, the record ever in terms of the number of tests that were sought.

The people of South Australia were very patient. There were very long queues at some of those yesterday, but I'm assured by Dr Tom Dodd, the clinical lead within SA Pathology, that they are working through those and expanding the capacity as quickly as they possibly can.