Reporting a RAT also difficult

A reader writes in:

Case numbers of Covid-19 have dropped in recent days, this is being attributed to people not reporting positive test results, though accessibility of RAT tests may be the larger contributor to this.

Looking at the steps someone has to go through in order to report a result, its understandable that many might choose not to, as it’s all too difficult.

Firstly you need to have a My Health Account record – this requires you to have valid identity (from Australia or New Zealand – birth certificate, passport etc).

This excludes any overseas visitor (few that we have) or those stuck in New Zealand. Also would potentially affect any RSE worker or someone who fears they are an overstayer. It also excludes anyone who might not yet have an ID – say a NZ permanent resident without a driver’s license – think a fifteen year old child of a immigrant from South Africa. Note you’re expected to report through your personal account, not on behalf of someone else.

If you do manage to create a record, when reporting a result, then you must agree with the privacy statement, you can’t opt out of this – so if you don’t agree with the terms they your only option is not to submit the result.

Next, you must enter a mobile phone number, a large number of people don’t have a mobile, or share a mobile with another person – so this might not suit. There’s also concern some from people that they are at risk if they receive medical information via mobile – especially those in potentially abusive relationships.  You can enter a fake number here though – such as 5551234.

You don’t have an option to opt out of any content, no matter what is sent to you.

Finally you then reach a page which state your result – which is simple enough.

However the steps above and the barriers for many to enter results are high enough to make it all too much effort – especially if they are sick and struggling with Covid themselves.

If the Ministry of Health were wanting the maximum number of results to be entered, a simple form, maybe name, email address or mobile and result – all on one page, no other barriers might be more effective.

For example the Victoria Government in Australia it’s a simple declaration form to capture some minimum data, no obligation to enter in any more details than name, dob, sex, phone number – which can be a home phone number for those without a mobile and a declaration of symptoms. No need for an account, no terms and conditions, just a privacy statement.

This approach is one we need to follow, not the convoluted steps and account creation that the MoH require.

Hard agree. Make is simple and easy for people to get a RAT and to report a positive test. No wonder case numbers are dropping!