NIP to test 'thousands' a day
The SOE currently only tests about 20 people a day, a far cry from the desired output as infection cases gradually increase.
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) is readying itself to test thousands of people per day for the coronavirus, with the turnaround time for results reduced to one day, its chief executive officer Dr. David Uirab said last Saturday.
Currently, only 20 people are tested per day.
He said some of the existing testing machines they use to test for illnesses such as tuberculosis (TB) are used to test for the virus.
“We do anticipate that there is a quiet before the storm which has shown in many of the countries that have high numbers of the coronavirus. NIP is gearing itself for those large numbers that may be breaking out in the coming weeks,” he said.
He however pointed out details around who to test will have to be worked out by case management experts.
No community transmission yet
Uirab said this during the daily coronavirus media briefing on Saturday.
During this briefing, Dr. Ismael Katjitae, who serves on the case management committee, remarked that Namibia is not yet at the community transmission stage.
Community transmission happens when a patient who is not exposed to anyone known to be infected and has not travelled to countries where the virus is circulating tests positive for infection.
Katjitae added that because of the rainy conditions in Namibia, many people are afflicted with allergic conditions or asthma symptoms are triggered.
“That is the reason why we are not testing everyone. So far, we have not had enough test kits. So, we are really guided by the World Health Organisation. Maybe the time will come when we are really going to test people,” he said.
He added that during a pandemic, cases usually double daily and looking at Namibia's cases, the country seems to be doing well.
“What we need to do is to, at all cost, try and contain this. Keep it out of the hospitals, we do not want to see what is happening in Spain, the United Kingdom or the United States. Once it is in the hospitals, then it becomes difficult to contain,” he said.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) is readying itself to test thousands of people per day for the coronavirus, with the turnaround time for results reduced to one day, its chief executive officer Dr. David Uirab said last Saturday.
Currently, only 20 people are tested per day.
He said some of the existing testing machines they use to test for illnesses such as tuberculosis (TB) are used to test for the virus.
“We do anticipate that there is a quiet before the storm which has shown in many of the countries that have high numbers of the coronavirus. NIP is gearing itself for those large numbers that may be breaking out in the coming weeks,” he said.
He however pointed out details around who to test will have to be worked out by case management experts.
No community transmission yet
Uirab said this during the daily coronavirus media briefing on Saturday.
During this briefing, Dr. Ismael Katjitae, who serves on the case management committee, remarked that Namibia is not yet at the community transmission stage.
Community transmission happens when a patient who is not exposed to anyone known to be infected and has not travelled to countries where the virus is circulating tests positive for infection.
Katjitae added that because of the rainy conditions in Namibia, many people are afflicted with allergic conditions or asthma symptoms are triggered.
“That is the reason why we are not testing everyone. So far, we have not had enough test kits. So, we are really guided by the World Health Organisation. Maybe the time will come when we are really going to test people,” he said.
He added that during a pandemic, cases usually double daily and looking at Namibia's cases, the country seems to be doing well.
“What we need to do is to, at all cost, try and contain this. Keep it out of the hospitals, we do not want to see what is happening in Spain, the United Kingdom or the United States. Once it is in the hospitals, then it becomes difficult to contain,” he said.
[email protected]
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