NSW residents who fail to report positive rapid antigen test results will face a $1000 fine as the state makes a “messy” transition to its COVID-19 testing regime.
It comes as the state reported a record 21 deaths on Wednesday, including seven historical fatalities.
Residents aged 16 and older can now log any positive at-home tests they have taken this year via the ServiceNSW app or website, in a process Premier Dominic Perrottet said is “seamless”.
From Wednesday, uploading the result within 24 hours is mandatory.
Police enforcement will commence next week, though Mr Perrottet concedes it will be difficult.
The premier on Wednesday said the shift was not just about counting cases but understanding who has underlying conditions and may need more care.
Those who test positive will be asked for details about their medical background and sorted into high and low risk cases, with the former to receive extra contact from NSW Health.
People who test positive on RATs will have to isolate for seven days, unless they have no symptoms and no known exposure – in which case they must do another test within 24 hours.
NSW Health has repeatedly warned the official case numbers were likely inaccurate, as so far it has counted those who have returned a positive PCR test.
The daily case numbers – which reached 34,759 on Wednesday – will include PCR and RAT statistics from later in the week.
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant apologised for the “messy” transition to the testing approach, which she said had happened far quicker than authorities wanted.
She urged anyone who did not have access to RATs – which remain scarce – to take a PCR, especially if they have underlying conditions.
