Covid Cases Jump Significantly As RAT Crisis Escalates

Tasmania hits a daunting state record with 702 new infections reported on Tuesday.

The rise in cases marks a Tassie first with more than 700 cases recorded in a single day, along with a 50 per cent increase in infections.

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The state's total number of active cases is now 2244, with three people in hospital, while none are in ICU or on a ventilator.

The majority of cases are using the state's Covid@home management program, with 275 under observation through the remote service, while 71 confirmed cases are under the state's Community Case Management Facility.

All cases have occurred since Tasmania opened its border on December 15.

Meanwhile, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison continues to reject calls for free rapid antigen tests (RAT) claiming "you can't make everything free", Australian Medical Association vice-president Chris Moy told RN Breakfast the federal government about the shortage months ago.

"I, the AMA and other groups asked the government about the testing strategy several months ago...it was put to us that the government would not intervene when the private market could take over"

"The problem is relying on the private market during a health crisis and there is a market failure... we have...inability to supply RAT's at a critical moment, lack of equity of access... and also there is poor communication about when people should be using them," Dr Moy said.

"The problem at the moment is that the lack of [rapid antigen tests] is completely hampering personal responsibility and it is a frustration that is a glaring hole in the current management of Covid"

- Dr Moy

In a bid to not let sleeping dogs lie, Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers took a swing at the Prime Minister on Tuesday, saying Mr Morrison needed to “fix the mess”.

“It’s getting to a pretty mad stage now. People are either going without or they’re getting ripped off, and the only alternative is to stand in lines for half a day (at testing centres),” Mr Chalmers told Today.

“We can’t have a situation where people at their most vulnerable and most contagious are wondering around shopping centres looking for tests that don’t exist, and if they do they’re getting ripped off, and if they don’t they’re being left undiagnosed which is leaving their co-workers and loved ones more vulnerable."

“The question for Scott Morrison today is how many people have to go undiagnosed, ripped off or faint in testing queues before this bloke will do his job and take responsibility and fix this mess he’s made of rapid antigen tests,” Chalmers challenged.

Meantime, Australia's consumer watchdog is monitoring the cost of rapid antigen tests following reports $15 tests were being hiked to just under $100 and says it will call out suppliers exploiting the RAT kit shortage.

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