23 Feb 2022

Rapid antigen tests become norm at Auckland testing centres

From Checkpoint, 5:19 pm on 23 February 2022

Massive demand for Covid-19 testing means RATs will now be the go-to at Auckland testing centres, as labs deal with a huge backlog in PCR swabs.

There are 3297 new community Covid-19 cases today - 179 people are in hospital with the coronavirus, with one in intensive care.

As the outbreak grows, the health system is being stretched to its limit - with calls to move to Phase 3 of the government's Omicron response plan to ease pressure.

Nita Blake-Persen reports.