— looking to do 500-800 COVID-19 tests per day
— private sector given ‘green light’ to source similar equipment

ONE of Guyana’s main limitations in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been the country’s ability to test for the disease, but government, in an effort to build capacity in this area, has sourced an automated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing machine.
As it is now, the country is equipped with just one machine, which is being utilised by the National Reference Laboratory. And, it was reported that the machine is over 20 years old and was previously used to test for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

The situation was, however, only made known when the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) was elected to office early this month.
Despite the existing constraints, the new government sought to get maximum results from the existing resources. Health authorities have so far tested 6,904 persons for the disease, with 5,949 being negative and 955 positive.

“With the use of the current machine, we are trying to get them (health workers) to do more, so we have introduced three shifts and are now able to do three times the amount of tests previously done,” said Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony during a special COVID-19 update, on Saturday.
Increased testing, using the existing machine is, however, just the immediate approach, as government is also seeking to acquire automated machines, which would reduce the time taken to process a sample – it takes nine hours with the existing machine.

“We want to cut that time down significantly by having an automated PCR machine… we have since ordered one such automated machine and we believe it will cut the processing time from nine hours to about two hours, max,” said Dr. Anthony.
With the automated machines, authorities will be able to do about 96 tests in just two hours, and if there are several shifts, 500-800 tests could be completed easily in one day.

“We have placed that order and we are negotiating how fast we can get it, but as soon as we get that, it will make a big difference,” said the health minister, adding that authorities have already started the preparatory work for storing the machine.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered coronavirus. Most people, who fall sick with COVID-19, will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. There are, however, vulnerable groups such as persons with underlying conditions and elderly patients, who may develop severe forms of the disease.

Considering the infectious nature of the disease, Dr. Anthony said there will have to be certain conditions to ensure that testing is done safely and properly.
Although the automated machine will produce faster results, the tests will have to be done in a biohazard cabinet, so as to reduce the chances of contamination.
“We are setting up some of those things so that when we get the machine, we will have a suite that is ready,” said the health minister, adding that it takes quite some time to get the “pieces” lined up, especially under the existing circumstances.

PRIVATE SECTOR
A similar approach is also being taken in the private sector, now that government has given private institutions the green light to acquire PCR machines.
Under the past administration, private institutions found it difficult to get government’s permission to test for COVID-19, but Dr. Anthony assured that those institutions will not have to approach the new government for permission because a multi-stakeholder approach is always beneficial.
“All private institutions should have the capacity to do testing… I have had discussions with some private laboratories and they have indicated that they are in the process of procuring similar machines,” said the health minister.

A combined effort between the public and private sectors will pave the way for more persons to be tested, especially given recent reports that many infected persons are asymptomatic.
While not trying to stir panic, Dr. Anthony said the number of cases will go up, as authorities increase testing.
In the past, testing was strict and limited to persons who were showing signs and symptoms of the disease. This allowed a number of asymptomatic cases to go “under the radar”.

“When we look at what is happening in other parts of the world, there are people who would be asymptomatic, with no signs and symptoms, but they are carrying the virus, so if you test them, they would be positive,” the health minister explained.
Similarly, in Guyana, persons might experience a mild cough and think they have the flu, but it could in fact be a manifestation of COVID-19.
The emergence of asymptomatic cases had prompted authorities to distribute more sample kits across the country, especially to regions where the infection rate is high. Most of the cases have so far been recorded in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
“We are sending out more kits, so there will be an increase in sample collection… the testing itself has components… one is sample collection and then there is the processing of samples,” the minister said.

To this end, sample-taking sites have been established across the country, especially in ‘hotspot’ areas.
It is clear that COVID-19 remains a threat to everyone in all areas of Guyana, but within the last few days, there have been lots of concerns about testing and laboratory confirmation of COVID-19.

“I would like to assure members of the public that the test conducted by the Ministry of Health is the WHO-recommended molecular PCR test for the coronavirus. There are also available antibody rapid test which may indicate that someone was exposed to the virus but is not recommended to diagnose the infection,” said Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud in a recent report.

He advised persons to desist from comparing these two distinctly different methods of testing, since the rapid antibody test is not approved to diagnose active COVID-19 cases, and only the molecular PCR can credibly identify infected persons.

The CMO encouraged persons to adhere to the safety guidelines as outlined in the COVID-19 emergency measures.
He reminded persons that COVID-19 is in Guyana and will not go away by denial or ignorance. It is real, said the CMO, noting that it is evidenced by the many persons who died and the agony and sadness of their families and friends.