Untested Covid-19 samples preserved by NHLS

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) is currently conducting an experiment to investigate how long the RNA of the novel coronavirus can remain detectable in simulated Covid-19 testing samples.

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is described by scientists as the 'weapon' that enables the virus to wreak havoc in the bodies of humans.

George Herald asked the NHLS how long Covid-19 swab samples can be kept and if they are thrown away at some stage because of the testing backlog. NHLS senior communications manager Mzi Gcukumana said all biological samples will deteriorate at some point. "We are aware of the theory that samples beyond a certain age can provide false negatives, but our testing results do not support this theory.

"As a result, the NHLS is currently conducting an experiment to investigate how long the RNA can still be detectable in simulated samples. It is important to store samples within a controlled environment and all the Covid-19 samples are stored at the required 4°C which minimises sample deterioration."

Testing prioritised
Testing for the coronavirus has been prioritised and tests are reserved for the following groups of people who are experiencing symptoms: healthcare workers, those over the age of 55, those in hospital or in old age homes, AND those under the age of 55 with comorbidities (including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, TB, chronic lung disease and HIV with poor ARV adherence).

Premier Alan Winde said last week the province is looking to private labs, university labs and rapid serology test kits to help address the shortage in testing capacity.

He expressed hope that the issue will be resolved speedily, referring to a remark made by President Cyril Ramaphosa that a new platform is being investigated which will enable countries across Africa to access millions of test kits.

No re-testing
Nadia Ferreira, Garden Route spokesperson for the Western Cape Health Department, said they have received numerous requests from private companies to re-test their staff who have been diagnosed with Covid-19, or to issue them with a letter to confirm that they don't have Covid-19 anymore.

"Public health facilities will not re-test anyone after 14 days of isolation. The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) considers a person recovered 14 days after the first symptoms are experienced, or 14 days from discharge from hospital for those who have been hospitalised. No follow-up testing is needed once a person has been diagnosed with Covid -19, has had mild symptoms only, and has been in isolation for 14 days, but Western Cape Government Health can issue a letter to confirm that a person is fit for work after the prescribed 14-day period of isolation," she said.

Private testing for unemployed, non-medical aid patients
Dis-Chem will be offering private lab Covid-19 testing to non-medical aid and unemployed patients thanks to a R20 million donation from the Solidarity Fund.

The service can be accessed by dialling *120*394#. No data or airtime is required. The patients will be called back within an hour, and if they meet the necessary criteria, will be referred to Dis-Chem for free private laboratory testing.

Over 3 million by November
Early in May, the NICD projected that by 1 November an estimated 3,4 to 3,7 million laboratory-confirmed cases will be reported, with the number of deaths expected to be between 34 015 and 49 774.

Differing numbers for backlog
There seems to be confusion as to the scope of the testing backlog. Last week, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde estimated that it was 100 000, Acting Director-General of the National Health Department Anban Pillay said it was 80 000, and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said it was 30 000. The exact figure is being awaited from the NHLS.

The Health Department's testing statistics for the 24 hours up till 8 June.