Case testing for COVID-19 has seriously improved since the catastrophe of the national government in 2009

Testing for Swine Flu (Human H1N1) in 2009 was carried out in Melbourne, Australia. Because New Zealand didn't have the facilities for testing. This took a lag of a couple of days before test results were known.

Test samples in 2009 had to be flown to Melbourne, tested, then the result flown back to New Zealand before the result was known.

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Testing for the Swine flu in 2009 was carried out only on serious cases only. The official number of those infected in 2009 were: 3,175. The number of deaths were: 19

As a result of the case testing in 2009. The actual number of those "positive" for swine flu will never be known.

"Laboratory diagnosis is rarely needed Although a definitive diagnosis of influenza requires laboratory confirmation, it is not routinely needed in general practice as it unlikely to alter management. Laboratory tests are mainly used to survey influenza viruses to indicate when influenza is circulating, determine the current strains and monitor antiviral resistance.3 In New Zealand, a group of sentinel general practices record the number of consultations for influenza-like illness, and collect respiratory samples for virus culture from patients with influenza-like illness"

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Yet, the right wingers continue to criticise the current criteria. While forgetting the fact, it was much worse under the national government.

It could be very much worse in New Zealand. We could have a national government.