Dis-Chem reopens Covid-19 testing stations

Following the closure of Dis-Chem’s testing stations on 10 July after a backlog in test results, the testing stations have now been reopened.

National clinic manager for Dischem, Lizeth Kruger, said the additional testing sites would ease the pressure on government’s existing testing facilities that have resulted from the countrywide spike in daily positive cases over the past few weeks. “Dis-Chem has improved its testing process to include an online registration and direct integration into the laboratories to speed up the feedback of results to the patient,” read a statement released by Dis-Chem.

In the statement, Kruger said, “The system will be able to regulate the number of tests carried out at each site while controlling the number of tests that will be sent to contracted laboratories, which have committed to making test results available within 24 to 48 hours.” 

Community members need to pre-register online on Dis-Chem’s website or app. The statement further explained, “This system allows the consumer to choose a convenient date and drive-through site after which a visitor identification will then be issued. This process will control the number of people that will arrive at each station, and tests will be carried out on a first-come, first-serve basis. On arrival at the testing site, consumers will need to show their visitor identification which confirms their booking and then will pass through the entry point into the queue for the test.

“The registered Dis-Chem nurse will record the patient symptoms before carrying out the test which is referenced to the patient details. Cell numbers will be confirmed to ensure that the test results are sent to the correct numbers, and there is also an option to have the results emailed. As soon as the test results are made available, not later than 48 hours, an SMS will automatically be sent to the patient with their result.”

Details: www.dischem.co.za

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