Oz Fest 18 Melbourne, VIC, Australia. USA Memorial Day Weekend May 27 to May 29, 2022
May 30, 2022, 8:17 pm
#331
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: w/+1: AS MVPG; IHG/Marriott Plat; Hilton/BW Diamond; Hertz Prez; SG Silver
Posts: 1,188
May 30, 2022, 8:46 pm
#332
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oz
Programs: QF, AA, UA, AS, SW, CO
Posts: 443
May 30, 2022, 10:22 pm
#333
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
May 30, 2022, 10:25 pm
#334
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern California
Programs: AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Aeroplan 25K, UA Silver
Posts: 494
Weird, weird, weird. I had a teledoctor appointment and a supervised RAT test. The test came up negative. Both the supervised testing company and the doc said I looked fine. So now I'm wondering if I had a false positive and am quarantined for no reason? Plus I already cancelled my business class flight for Friday, thinking I had to wait out quarantine. Not sure what to think at this point.
May 30, 2022, 10:53 pm
#335
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sydney
Programs: QF Plat, VA Gold, HH Diam, PC Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,082
Weird, weird, weird. I had a teledoctor appointment and a supervised RAT test. The test came up negative. Both the supervised testing company and the doc said I looked fine. So now I'm wondering if I had a false positive and am quarantined for no reason? Plus I already cancelled my business class flight for Friday, thinking I had to wait out quarantine. Not sure what to think at this point.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay...esting/clinics
May 30, 2022, 11:12 pm
#336
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: MEL
Programs: QF WP, LTG, QP on hold
Posts: 717
Weird, weird, weird. I had a teledoctor appointment and a supervised RAT test. The test came up negative. Both the supervised testing company and the doc said I looked fine. So now I'm wondering if I had a false positive and am quarantined for no reason? Plus I already cancelled my business class flight for Friday, thinking I had to wait out quarantine. Not sure what to think at this point.
Here's the minimum specifications for RATs approved in Australia:
- A specificity of 98% (ie maximum 2% false positives compared to PCR)
- A sensitivity of 80% (ie maximum 20% false negatives compared to PCR)
(Yes, RATs are being used inappropriately. They are totally not for fit for purpose in determining if someone does not have the virus. Good to tell if someone does have the virus.)
May 30, 2022, 11:19 pm
#337
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern California
Programs: AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Aeroplan 25K, UA Silver
Posts: 494
Just had a call from the NSW Health Services. They said that false negatives are common, but false positives are not. The doctor was great in outlining my options. He does not recommend I take a PCR. He says that if I quarantine and do not develop worse symptoms, they will provide a letter stating I can travel after completing the seven days. The US requires either a negative test or a letter from an appropriate health authority, so at least that give me a timeframe for flying home. He thinks I should go on antivirals and is looking into getting them for me.
Last edited by cocobird; Jun 1, 2022 at 12:40 pm
May 31, 2022, 12:28 am
#338
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern California
Programs: AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Aeroplan 25K, UA Silver
Posts: 494
I am so impressed by the Australian healthcare professionals that I have met throughout today. This morning, I was completely lost, now I feel confident that the system works and will take care of me. Even though I am not an Australian, the doctors are concerned about compassionate care for everyone.
Last edited by cocobird; May 31, 2022 at 1:38 am
May 31, 2022, 1:20 am
#339
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oz
Programs: QF LTG, Velocity FF Red, HH Diamond, PC Platinum Ambassador, UA Nothing
Posts: 1,914
After 2 frustrating days of trying to contact a teledoc, we decided to go to the ER. After a 3 hour wait at the Royal Melbourne Hospital we got a wonderful doctor who prescribed Paxlovid for me and made sure the pharmacy had it. The hospital waived their AUD$500+ fee d/t covid. The med was only $42.50. Aussie healthcare is very cheap when you can get it. We should get our PCR results today. I'm still confined to my Courtyard room until Saturday when we leave for the Sunshine Coast. They erroneously told my wife that she was confined, too and told us the quarantine expires Saturday at midnight. Hotels don't know the rules.
Thanks to all for your concerns and it was great to see everyone even for only a few hours.
Every one of our flights were either delayed or cancelled and now this. This turned into the trip from hell.
Thanks to all for your concerns and it was great to see everyone even for only a few hours.
Every one of our flights were either delayed or cancelled and now this. This turned into the trip from hell.
It's probably good to get all the issues together on one trip.
May 31, 2022, 1:57 am
#340
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,208
As an aside, I have friends just back from Australia with covid-like symptoms but tested negative on RAT repeatedly.
Turns out they have a nasty influenza variant that us highly transmissible and is ‘doing the rounds’.
Take care all.
Turns out they have a nasty influenza variant that us highly transmissible and is ‘doing the rounds’.
Take care all.
May 31, 2022, 3:57 am
#342
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oz
Programs: QF, AA, UA, AS, SW, CO
Posts: 443
Just had a call from the NSW Health Services. They said that false negatives are common, but false positives are not. The doctor was great in outlining my options. He does not recommend I take a PCR. He says that if I quarantine and do not develop symptoms, they will provide a letter stating I can travel after completing the seven days. The US requires either a negative test or a letter from an appropriate health authority, so at least that give me a timeframe for flying home. He thinks I should go on antivirals and is looking into getting them for me.
May 31, 2022, 4:48 am
#343
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sydney
Programs: QF Plat, VA Gold, HH Diam, PC Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,082
Since the pandemic started I have had over 25+ PCR tests and about 10 RATs 😀. Also have access to rapid PCRs with results back in an hour but don't do that too often as there is limited reagents. If I'm personally worried about Covid I go straight to PCR...
May 31, 2022, 4:51 am
#344
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sydney
Programs: QF Plat, VA Gold, HH Diam, PC Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,082
When we do PCRs at my hospital, we also test for Influenza A and B and RSV at the same time. 😀 Don't forget to get your flu vaccine this year!
May 31, 2022, 5:59 am
#345
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oz
Programs: QF, AA, UA, AS, SW, CO
Posts: 443
NSW Health are trying to push people away from PCRs to RATs...intresting my hospital always prefers we get PCRs over RATs...wonder why Since the pandemic started I have had over 25+ PCR tests and about 10 RATs 😀. Also have access to rapid PCRs with results back in an hour but don't do that too often as there is limited reagents. If I'm personally worried about Covid I go straight to PCR...
Since the pandemic started I have had over 25+ PCR tests and about 10 RATs 😀. Also have access to rapid PCRs with results back in an hour but don't do that too often as there is limited reagents. If I'm personally worried about Covid I go straight to PCR...