Slow start to Covid-19 testing in North Coast communities

Mass screening and testing for the coronavirus started at Shaka’s Head on Tuesday as government ramps up efforts to contain and limit its spread across vulnerable communities.

Three groups of screening teams arrived at 11am (about two hours after they were due) with a target for each group to visit 30 homes that day.

The large-scale screening, testing and tracing programme was rolled out in KwaDukuza a week ago and has so far visited KwaDukuza town, Shakaskraal, Ballito and Shaka’s Head where they wil remain until Thursday or Friday.

The screening team’s further movements have yet to be released.

The testing operation should see thousands of field workers visit homes in rural and urban areas aimed at early detection and swift isolation concerning citizens infected, or showing symptoms of the coronavirus.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize had expressed concern that not enough testing was being done.

“Our testing criteria are reactive and restrictive. This means we do not have a true picture,” he said.

Mkhize revealed that the National Health Laboratory Service’s (NHLS) testing capabilities are being boosted to facilitate 36 000 tests per day – currently there is only capacity to test about 5 000 samples.

Laboratories were also being increased. The NHLS have six laboratories where Covid-19 tests are done which will be increased to nine by the end of April.

The mobile laboratories will bring patient samples to these facilities as most tests are still being done in the private sector.

To date South Africa has conducted more than 50 000 tests.

With 2272 confirmed infections and 27 deaths, South Africans have been warned not to let down their guard, as the virus may yet take hold in overcrowded townships, where social distancing and lockdown regulations are difficult to enforce.

The field workers will refer people with symptoms to local clinics or mobile clinics for testing.

If the test is positive for Covid-19, the person will be contacted and the process of isolation will be explained to them.

If they are unable to isolate themselves in their current home situation, arrangements will be made for them to be taken to a safe isolation facility.

Their recent close contacts will also be traced.

“Part of the lockdown’s power, in addition to limiting social engagement and thereby decreasing the rate of infection, is the opportunity it provides government to embark on both preventative and proactive medical measures aimed at combating Covid-19,” said field supervisor Pieter Makhani.

KwaDukuza municipality spokesperson Sipho Mkhize said the door-to-door screening and testing campaign has so far been a great success.

“The residents have cooperated fully with the health officials. On the first day of screening and testing 136 people were screened and five were tested because they presented signs and symptoms of Covid-19. There has been thorough cooperation and no challenges have faced our health officials. In fact members of the community said that they have been waiting patiently for the screening to begin,” said Mkhize.

Meanwhile, Dischem has partnered with Toga Labs to bring a drive-in Covid-19 testing station to the parking lot at Virgin Active Ballito.

This will serve as strictly a drive-through service and only those concerned that they may have been exposed, those who have travelled to a hot spot recently or those who are simply concerned are advised to get checked.

Testing is being done daily during normal working hours from Monday to Friday and only three people per vehicle are allowed.

A single test costs R850 and results are available within 24 hours.

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