Covid-19: First-hand experience of the City of Joburg’s mass testing
The project was part of the City of Johannesburg’s efforts to test as many people as possible before the country enters level four lockdown this Friday, May 1.
As the City of Johannesburg launched its mass voluntary testing project in Region B on 28 April, the residents of Sophiatown took advantage of the opportunity.
The tests were part of the city’s efforts to test as many people as possible before the country entered level four lockdown this Friday, 1 May. Sophiatown residents Tilly Michaels and Gontse Dikane were among the first to be tested but said they had differing experiences. Dikane said he was frustrated with the apparent confusion of the screening process, which he attributed to the staff.
“Unfortunately I don’t think the staff here at Sophiatown Clinic are fully geared up for this,” he said. “We were getting some mixed information, some of which was not correct,” he added, referring to the fact that there was a difference of opinion on whether or not he was eligible for testing.
Alice Ramagondo, Facility Manager at the clinic said the testing was open to all comers. She explained that there were however groups of people targeted for testing, such as the elderly, those with chronic illness and those displaying symptoms of flu or the virus.
The issue was eventually resolved, and Dikane was duly tested. Michaels found the process – and procedure – relatively painless. She said the doctor had explained how the swab would be placed in her throat and moved from left to right and then down the middle.
“The only thing is that they really push it deep down your throat and it feels like ‘argh’,” she said, her eyes bulging. Prior to the test Michaels was screened, answering questions on the number of people in her household, whether she was on chronic medication and about other pertinent health issues.
Dikane said he hoped there would soon be clarity on whether young people could take advantage of the mass testing. “Make it known nationally if the youth shouldn’t be testing,” he said, adding that he believed everyone should have the right to be tested.
Michaels too asked for accurate information to filter down to communities at a faster pace saying, “With community groups sharing loads of information every day, it’s important to have reliable information readily available.”
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