Covid-19 Omicron outbreak: Supply to promote optimistic RAT outcomes ‘distressing’

If promoting Covid-positive speedy antigen assessments on social media is a few type of joke, College of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker says “it is not humorous”.

A submit on the Otago Flatting Items Fb web page is providing 4 optimistic assessments, saying: “Have you ever been overworked as a result of excessive demand and brief workers? Really feel like a 10-day break?

“Nicely, have I received the deal for you, 4 optimistic assessments on the market (aka get out of jail free playing cards).

“These are in superb situation with minimal use, in reality have solely simply been taken out of the unique packaging. As is the place is. Should be contactless pick-up.”

Baker was not impressed when instructed of the advert yesterday, calling it tantamount to fraud.

He believed it had the power to wreck New Zealand’s religion within the testing system if individuals have been utilizing the assessments in a fraudulent method, and it might have a adverse impact on companies that have been struggling to proceed working through the top of the Omicron wave.

“It is no joke. If you’re utilizing some methodology to defraud your employer by having them help you with a interval of sick go away, I’d have thought that was legal behaviour.

“Definitely, it seems like a type of fraud, on the very least a deception of your employer.

“The opposite factor that I feel is especially distressing about this form of behaviour is that we all know one of many options of the Omicron wave is that not solely does it make individuals very sick and put them in hospital, it additionally places an enormous pressure on important providers.

“Individuals taking sick go away when they don’t seem to be sick might make the employee scarcity much more intense.”

It was the worst time for individuals to be appearing on this method, “Let’s hope there may be fairly a decisive response to this type of behaviour,” he stated.

A police spokeswoman stated police have been unable to remark.

Baker stated it was unlikely the Covid-positive assessments have been faux.

“Mainly, the assessments are very particular and they’re figuring out one of many proteins that kind the virus.

“It is a chemical response and it is designed to dwelling in on the construction of that protein.”

College of Otago immunologist James Ussher confirmed the assessments themselves wouldn’t be capable to unfold the virus as a result of the testing course of made the virus inert.

The individual chargeable for the Fb submit had not responded to requires remark.