Bluff Covid-19 mass testing: All you need to know
Testing teams and two mobile testing vans have been deployed to conduct screenings throughout the week.
MASS testing for Covid-19 commenced on Monday, 4 May in the Bluff area.
Testing teams and two mobile testing vans have been deployed over this period to conduct screenings throughout the week. According to ward 66 councillor JP Prinsloo, the testing approach will be as follows:
Testing of employees at all major retail outlets which were operating during phase 5 of the Covid-19 lockdown.
This includes, but is not limited to:
• Bluff Spar
• Bluff Pick ‘n Pay
• Bluff Checkers
• Dischem
• Clicks
• Woolworths
• Bluff Meat Supply
• Bluff BP garage
Bluff Clinic Testing for individuals who have been in contact with a confirmed Covid-19 patient and are displaying any flu-like symptoms
Contact the clinic ahead of time on 031-322-9982 so staff may screen you and then be ready to assist you upon arrival. Please note that no patient is allowed entry to clinic property without a face mask.
Mass home testing in the community
Testing will take place within a radius of 10 properties from any confirmed Covid-19 infection property and will expand from there via contact track and tracing protocols.
How to identify the testing team
• Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) will be distributing pamphlets ahead of time to those homes which have been identified for upcoming testing. They will not be entering your home and will be identifiable by a name badge.
• The Department of Health will be announcing the testing via loudhailer in the streets scheduled for that day.
• The clinic healthcare workers will arrive in a municipal vehicle (NDM registration) or testing van.
• Healthcare workers will be in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• A member of the police may be escorting the healthcare workers in order to safeguard the testing team.
• The team will consist of two nursing sisters (in uniform and badge) and one Environmental Health officer (no uniform). Should you be concerned regarding the identity of the staff, please take a picture of the staff badge and send this, along with your address to the following WhatsApp number for confirmation: 072-950-1323.
• Please note that the testing team will need to test individuals inside your property (in order to provide patient confidentiality) but will not require access to the inside your home.
What to expect during community mass home testing
• Testing will be performed by a nursing sister and samples will be taken from you under strict conditions.
• Testing will be restricted to individuals permanently residing at the address.
• Testing for Covid-19 involves inserting a 15cm long swab (like a long earbud) into the cavities between your nose and mouth (nasopharyngeal swab) for 15 seconds and rotating the swab several times. The swab is then inserted into a sterile container and sent to a lab for testing.
• Results will be available within 48 hours. It is strongly suggested that one self-quarantines for the 48 hours after testing.
• Test results will be provided only to those who test positive for the virus.
• Should you test positive, you will be moved into a quarantine facility for further treatment and your entire household will need to self-isolate for 14 days if showing symptoms.
• Note that as per the amended state of disaster regulations, no individual who is suspected or confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus may refuse to be tested, quarantined and treated.
“This exercise is of public health importance and to safeguard everyone. We appeal to the Bluff community to participate and assist the testing team in their efforts. This is for your own good and for the rest of our community. If you require any further clarification regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact Bluff Clinic on 031-322-9982 and ask to speak to a Sister. If one is not immediately available, please leave your name, address and contact number and a sister will be in contact within an hour,” said Prinsloo.
Join the Bluff Community Noticeboard Facebook Page for more service delivery and community updates.
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