[ad_1]
The Department of Health will implement antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2 at all ports of entry in South Africa with immediate effect.
In a statement on Thursday (October 8), the department said the implementation is in line with the country’s new level 1 lockdown. regulations which require that all travelers arriving at a port of entry without a certified negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result must be tested at the point of entry before entering the country.
The advantage of the antigen test is that, unlike the PCR test, results are available in 15 minutes, the department said.
“Given the logistical complications posed by a PCR test at the point of entry and the additional mitigation measures in place, the cabinet resolved to implement testing at the points of entry using the antigen test,” the department said.
“The government is also aware that some of our neighboring countries, for example Lesotho, do not have the capacity to perform PCR testing on all travelers bound for South Africa. Therefore, antigen testing will make it possible to manage the influx of travelers without certified PCR tests on time. “
An additional consideration was cost-effectiveness: at a rate between R150-R170, antigen tests cost much less than PCR tests.
The cost of the antigen test will be the responsibility of the traveler and not of South Africa or their country of origin.
New evidence
The World Health Organization recently approved the use of rapid antigen tests as a point-of-care diagnosis for Covid-19 as a screening and surveillance tool in the community where a rapid, low-cost result is required.
The South African Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has granted an emergency use authorization (USA) for two companies to supply antigen testing, the Health Department said.
“It is anticipated that more of these tests will be available from other providers. The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) will initially purchase these tests for use at our ports of entry.
“Over time, as more kits become available, these tests will be implemented in community surveillance programs.”
“The antigen test is performed by collecting a sample from the naso-oropharyngeal area, in the same way as a PCR test, and therefore, the collection of the sample must be carried out by a professional and cannot be carried out by an individual. In the home”.
The department added that the existing PCR test “remains the gold standard” as it has much higher sensitivity and specificity than the rapid antigen test.
“They are all travelers who have been implored to comply with regulations and ensure that, where possible, they complete the processing of their PCR tests no more than 72 hours before their departure or arrival at a port of entry in South Africa. . This is how we can better protect each other as we travel the world, ”he said.
Process
In the event that a traveler arrives at a port of entry without a certified negative PCR test, the department said the following procedure will be followed;
- The traveler will be examined for signs and symptoms upon arrival;
- In the event that a certified PCR test result is not produced, the traveler will be directed to a testing facility at the port of entry;
- A member of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) staff will collect the samples and perform the test immediately;
- The cost will be borne by the traveler and the NHLS will be remunerated when taking the test. Travelers should be prepared to pay out of pocket and claim fees from their health insurance service provider;
- If the traveler tests negative, they will be allowed to pass through the port of entry provided they have been cleared of red flags in the screening phase;
- If the traveler tests positive, they will be asked to quarantine themselves at a facility designated by that particular port of entry. They will not be allowed to travel between provinces. The contacts of a traveler who tests positive at the point of entry, including those who were close to the traveler within the mode of transportation, will also be tracked and traced;
- Travelers who arrive without a certified PCR test and who refuse to take the test at the port of entry will not be allowed entry into the republic and will be asked to self-quarantine at a designated facility.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that South Africa does not suffer a second wave that forces us to enforce the lockdown conditions again,” the Health Department said.
He said that these measures are implemented not to penalize anyone, but to protect each other from the devastations of Covid-19.
“For those travelers who will need to undergo the procedure described above, they are requested to have patience and cordial interactions with the authorities who are tasked with enforcing regulations.
Read: Here is the full list of high-risk countries that will not be allowed to visit South Africa
[ad_2]
