Lismore’s COVID-19 testing passes 20,000 milestone

factor, this radiation may actually have an advantage in boosting the accumulation of healthy compounds in optimised black rice, making Australia – and specifically the NSW Northern Rivers – well placed to produce the highest quality black rice.”

Black rice’s distinctive dark colour comes from a range of naturally occurring compounds called ‘anthocyanins’, known to be beneficial agents in reducing inflammation. It also has major antioxidant properties that have the potential to reduce the glycaemic index of rice.

Assoc Prof Kretzschmar, who joined SCU two years ago, has worked with rice for more than 10 years, including at the International Rice Research Institute genebank in the Philippines which houses more than 100,000 types of rice. In late July NSW Health Pathology’s Lismore laboratory geared up for any possible upsurge in demand for COVID-19 testing, having already exceeded 20,000 tests on patient samples collected at public hospitals and mobile clinics between Tweed Heads and Grafton, and along the coast.

Glenn Hawkins, the lab’s Manager of Microbiology, said, “Our laboratory is currently averaging around 300 diagnostic COVID-19 tests per day, however we have the capacity to test up to 400, if needed.

Lismore is part of NSW Health Pathology’s network of 12 specialist laboratories across the state conducting COVID-19 diagnostic testing, around half

- a Southern Cross University research project

The black rice project involved identifying 300 lines from a collection that originates from 19 countries across Asia and Africa. For the first time these black rice lines will be grown in Australia, with the backing of the ARC Linkage program.

“This project will pave the way for the development of a profitable crop alternative of them are in regional areas.

“The availability of local COVID-19 testing in regional laboratories will deliver greater testing capacity and faster turnaround times for local communities,” Mr Hawkins added.

“Fast, accurate testing enables early diagnosis and management of COVID-19 cases, which is vital for the protection of the community and to curb the spread of the virus. NSW Health Pathology’s Lismore laboratory is also set up for rapid PCR testing, to be used for high-risk, highpriority cases where an urgent diagnosis is needed.

“These include the elderly, acutely unwell patients or those with pre-existing for farmers in the subtropics and northern Australia,” Assoc Prof Kretzschmar said.

“In the long term this has the potential to improve farm income and increase the financial sustainability of farming businesses, while also creating supply chains in processing and packaging in regional and remote areas

Australia’s southern Riverina region already produces high quality rice. However, the pigmented rice is a niche crop with growth potential in domestic and international markets.

“The project will also provide critical genetic and nutritional information for future breeding of high-value ‘healthy’ rice to help meet the national targets of improving the health of Australians,” said

Lismore’s COVID-19 testing passes 20,000 milestone

Associate Professor Kretzschmar. or chronic health conditions.”

NSW has one of the highest COVID-19 testing rates in the world. A total of 1,218,155 tests have been done, and more than 350,000 registrations for their pioneering SMS Results Service that has halved the average waiting time for negative results.

“As restrictions ease gradually, it is crucial to come forward for testing, even if you only have minor symptoms, to ensure we keep community transmission at bay,” Mr Hawkins said. “Anyone with flu-like symptoms, no matter how mild, should get tested. Common symptoms include cough, sore or scratch throat, shortness of breath or fever.”