NSW Health has reached a major milestone in its fight against COVID-19, with more than six million tests conducted.
Chief Health Officer, Kerry Chant said more than 3.5 million people had been tested, with almost 1.4 million people tested more than once.
“The NSW community should be very proud of this milestone,” Dr Chant said.
“As recent events show, COVID-19 can re-emerge at any time, even after lengthy periods of no community transmission,” she said.
“High testing rates are among our best defences against COVID-19 as they allow us to detect new cases early and prevent further transmission.”
Dr Chant said that as of 27 May, 3,514,483 people in NSW had been tested for COVID-19, with 61 per cent (2,138,516) tested once; 39 per cent (1,375,967 people) tested on multiple occasions; and 52,000 tested five or more times.
The Chief Health Officer said people in the 30-to-39-year age group accounted for the highest number of tests at 1,077,602 (18 per cent of all tests), followed by those aged 20 to 29 with 923,657 tests (15 per cent) and those aged 40 to 49 with 855,231 tests (14 per cent).
“I want to sincerely thank everyone in NSW who has come forward and been tested and urge you to continue to do so – if you have even the mildest of symptoms it is so important you come forward and get tested,” she said.
“If you have already been tested and were negative but develop symptoms later, you need to come forward and get tested again,” Dr Chant said.
