NSW Health is marking World AIDS Day today (1 December) by calling on people across the State who may be at risk of HIV to go and be tested.
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said the State’s reopening was a good time for community members to talk with healthcare professionals about HIV testing and what prevention options were available.
“The State has made great progress in the virtual elimination of the virus, however, testing rates are down from last year, driven by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr Chant said.
“We’ve come a long way over the last 40 years and have many new tools to help prevent HIV transmission, including effective HIV treatment, condoms, sterile injecting equipment and prevention medication – PrEP,” she said.
“Early testing and diagnosis linked to treatment prevents transmission and enables people living with HIV to enjoy a long and healthy life.”
Dr Chant said that, from January to September, 141 NSW residents were diagnosed with HIV, a decrease of 31 per cent compared to the average for the past five years.
She said the decline was likely driven by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and restricted movement, as people remained at home.
“As we start to open up, it is essential that at-risk people get tested now,” Dr Chant said.
“With the ongoing risk of COVID-19, ensuring people living with HIV are diagnosed and begin treatment is critical to positive health outcomes.”
The Chief Health Officer said people could get tested easily and confidentially at their local GP or sexual health service.
“There are also now more online and home-based testing options, including Dried Blood Spot test, a free finger prick test which is mailed to you, and ATOMO self-test kits, which will be available in pharmacies across the State soon,” Dr Chant said.
Information on testing for HIV can be accessed on NSW Health’s website at this PS News link.
