“You can’t fight a virus if you don’t know where it is.”
These were the words of Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at his briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March.
He made the statement in a bid to emphasize the need to test many more people as key to containing the spread of the disease. The validity of this statement stands true till date and even more so in Africa where the Covid-19 disease is spreading at an exponential rate with minimal resources to test and indeed contain spread.
Currently, the most sensitive method for testing for COVID-19 is through a laboratory technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in which a machine amplifies viral genetic material by copying it over and over again so any trace of the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be detected. Access to this test has improved significantly, and in some places, people can now get tested without having to show any symptoms at all.
With the Nigerian economy gradually re-opening & workers being asked to resume various job roles, the risk of exposure grows even larger and this begged the question – Should I get tested? Why & when should I consider getting a Covid-19 test?
The following are some important reasons why you should consider getting a Covid-19 test today.
1.If you have symptoms: The virus’s incubation period is around 5 to 7 days, but it can be up to 14 days. Within this period an individual can become symptomatic and show several signs and symptoms of Covid-19. If you exhibit any symptoms of Covid-19 such as fever, cough, difficulty in breathing, loss of taste & smell, it is paramount you get tested to be sure as early detection is key to good prognosis (disease outcome).
-
If you have ever been exposed to a positive case: Individuals who get exposed to the virus by having close contact with a confirmed case should get tested whether or not they have symptoms. By identifying individuals who are positive early in disease progression before they develop symptoms and implementing public health interventions such as self-isolation, we can prevent a large percentage of infections. This is key, because research has shown that asymptomatic infection transmission is probable.
-
Regulatory purposes for work: For organizations & individuals in remote areas with little (E.G Offshore), getting the Covid-19 test helps create a baseline for infectivity risk before embarkation. Individuals who test positive before embarkation can be stepped down hence minimalizing the risk of an outbreak in remote settings. This has become somewhat regulatory in recent times, so if you or your organization work in remote settings (E.g. Offshore) it Is somewhat regulatory you get a Covid-19 test done at intervals.
-
People who want to travel by flight: It is now regulatory for every individual planning on embarking on an international flight to get tested. If you have plans travelling out of the country, you are expected to present a valid Covid 19 test result before embarking. Are you planning to take that Dubai trip once international flights are reopened? Plan to get your Covid-19 test done!!
-
Work in industries with high risk of exposure: If you work in an industry prone to high level of exposure (E.G Healthcare) , continuous testing at intervals is recommended.
So, should you wait till you have symptoms to go ahead and get tested?
Or is it worth it to see whether you had an infection by developing symptoms before testing?
Our belief is, if you do have the resources to test or you fit into any of the criteria’s above, get your Covid-19 test done today. Reason being, quick identification of cases, quick treatment and immediate isolation is key to god disease outcome and prevention of spread.
When we look back at what will be the first wave of COVID-19 globally & indeed Nigeria, lack of testing contributed at a quantum level to the ripples of spread. Today, access to testing as become somewhat easier. So why don’t you get tested today??
Want to get tested for Covid-19 today? please email
covid19testing@medburymedicals.com
No Comments