GAUTENG. – Because of delays in obtaining test kits and reagents, there is a time lag of up to eight days in the Covid-19 results.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said, in a statement, that this was disclosed today by Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku in response to his questions at a virtual meeting of the Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee.
Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC said that according to Masuku, this time lag is acknowledged by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a general problem experienced internationally.
“According to a presentation given by the Gauteng Health Department, the time taken for Covid-19 test results in Gauteng ranges from 48 hours and in some instances up to 11 days. They say they have engaged the National Department of Health, NHLS and private laboratories to find ways in which the process can be bettered to ensure we are able to mitigate the risk of transmission.”
Bloom said that they are concerned about these delays and that the Department says that the extent of the backlog is not fully quantified due to the various categories of testing.
“According to reports, there is a test backlog of 15 000 in Johannesburg. The important number, however, is test results rather than tests conducted, and MEC Masuku has undertaken to make this distinction in future reporting. I hope that testing delays can be resolved as speedy test results are vital in identifying and limiting hotspots through contact tracing and quarantine.”
Bloom said that priorities should be set for key sectors to get their tests as soon as possible, particularly staff and patients at hospitals, and areas where there is high person-to-person contact.
