Three attempts to get Covid-19 test before positive diagnosis

From Checkpoint, 6:06 pm on 1 April 2020

A Christchurch man who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 said it took three attempts to get tested because he had not travelled overseas or knowingly been in contact with an infected person.

Health Authorities have now widened the criteria to include people with coronavirus-like symptoms including a cough, temperature or shortness of breath even if they do not have links to overseas travel.

The goal is to expand testing capacity from about 3,700 tests a day to 5000.

Journalist Tom Kitchin has been in self isolation with his flatmates since his diagnosis last Tuesday.

Lisa Owen spoke to him via Skype.