Australian Man Steals Over 40,000 Rapid Antigen Test Worsening Supply Issues

In this photo illustration a man uses a COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit at home in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2021. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Australia’s COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) supply problems have intensified after around 42,000 RATs were stolen from an Australian freight depot during a countrywide shortage.

New South Wales (NSW) police were called to a Sydney depot on Tuesday, Jan. 18, after a man allegedly walked in and seized around 42,000 tests, worth more than $500,000 (US$360,000).