Simple and effective: Mervyn Fernando and Kim Watkins of Indigenous Medical Supplies say rapid antigen tests will be a game-changer when it comes to detecting COVID-19.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Rapid antigen COVID-19 tests may be an unfamiliar sight in workplaces around Greater Shepparton today; however, Indigenous Medical Supplies managing director Mervyn Fernando says they’ll soon be an everyday piece of equipment.
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“They’ve been proven to be effective,” Mr Fernando said of the tests, which return results within 15 minutes.
“Rapid testing is the next step to normal.”
Mr Fernando said he expected different workplaces and settings would establish their own protocols around how rapid antigen tests would be used, and that demand for the quick kits would soon skyrocket.
“The market is exploding right now, if you look at the TGA registry online, every day there’s a new supplier offering these devices,” he said.
"When it comes to workplaces, they’re still determining what the practicalities are of using these in a specific workplace.
“Every workplace has its own unique COVID policies and procedures ... We’ll sit down and have that conversation with customers.”
IMS customer service manager and Gunaikurnai woman Kim Watkins tried the at-home test out on herself and her two sons, and said it was a simple process.
“The tests will make people happier to go to work if they know they’ll be tested,” she said.
“It gives peace of mind, going to work knowing everybody will be safe ... I think it’ll help a lot.”
IMS is a 100 per cent Indigenous-owned and operated business led by Mr Fernando, a proud Dunghutti man, based in Mooroopna.
The medical supply company aims to close the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
During the pandemic IMS has kept medical centres, workplaces and Aboriginal community controlled health organisations across Australia well-stocked with life-saving PPE, including in remote communities.
Rapid antigen tests are not yet easily accessible to over-the-counter consumers in Shepparton, with calls to major supermarkets inquiring about stock levels on Wednesday indicating supply is inconsistent.
IMS stocks two brands of rapid antigen tests — MP Rapid Tests and Australian-made InnoScreen tests, which it sells to wholesale customers.
Mr Fernando said rapid tests completed the comprehensive range of COVID-19 equipment available to his customers.
He said while demand for disposable masks would eventually dwindle, orders for rapid antigen test kits were about to surge.
If a rapid test produces a positive result, a PCR test — the tests administered by Goulburn Valley Health — is still required.
“Rapid antigen testing works in conjunction with PCR testing, it doesn’t replace PCR testing,” Mr Fernando said.
The DIY kits are better suited to people who are asymptomatic, according to Mr Fernando.
“So if you're not showing any symptoms, you can get a rapid antigen test kit,” he said.
“On average it’s about five to seven days before you start to show symptoms [of COVID-19], so you can pick it up quite early [with rapid tests].”
Do it yourself: Self-administered rapid antigen tests offer workplaces and organisations a simple tool for early detection of the virus.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The next step to normal: Indigenous Medical Supplies general manager Mervyn Fernando says rapid antigen testing will become a normal part of life.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
