Testing for coronavirus: different realities

Over the past two days, two family members as well as a number of friends were tested for the coronavirus in the Western Cape.

All had either travelled from abroad and were having symptoms or had developed symptoms after contact with someone who had travelled from abroad.

Their experiences differed vastly.

Firstly, let me say how much admiration I have for the medical personnel who work on the front line of this epidemic.

They are working under enormous pressure - pressure that will only escalate as time goes by.

These people will be the heroes of this epidemic not only in South Africa, but globally.

One of my family members were tested at a Mediclinic facility in Cape Town after a referral from her GP.

There was a tent outside in the parking lot in order not to risk any infection within the hospital. (Long may the summer last!)

The nurses and doctors were exhausted, but extremely friendly and the system worked. The only problem was that it took between 30 and 45 minutes to test one person.

Full medical histories were taken.

The forms were cumbersome and time consuming.

Clearly as the epidemic progresses this will not work and will have to change.

Despite having to wait for about two hours after the scheduled appointment time, the experience was overall very positive.

By contrast two friends went to Tygerberg Hospital at the same time.

Both had symptoms.

One, who had travelled from America less than two weeks ago, had been sick for days with a fever, cough and flu symptoms. He was scheduled to fly back to the US on Monday.

Because he was still feeling sick, he wanted to get tested and possibly delay his departure.

The other friend has a very serious lung condition and had also developed a bad cough and flu like symptoms after being exposed to travellers from high risk countries.

At Tygerberg they experienced a more chaotic system.

After confusion and a long wait in queues they finally saw a doctor.

He declined to test either of them. In fact, he almost immediately signed a form clearing the American friend to fly.

Now I’m no medic, but that seems very unwise…