300 COVID-19 tests per day targeted by next week – Health Minister

…condemns false reports about contaminated test kits

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has announced that, by next week, 300 tests for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will be conducted per day.

This is a dramatic increase when compared to what had obtained before the new administration took office, when only about 30 samples were processed per day. In a statement on Friday, the Health Minister says this will change the dynamics of detecting cases at a much faster rate, limiting threats for non-infected persons.
“Our testing capacity is being increased dramatically. Until around June, Guyana’s testing was extremely limited, averaging about 30 tests per day. By the end of July, Guyana was challenged to reach 100 tests per day, even though the demand was several times that,” the Minister insisted.
Since early August, President Irfaan Ali, Vice-President Bharat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Mark Philips and Minister Anthony have led a team to significantly increase the daily testing output.
As a result, Guyana was able to surpass 200 tests in a day for the first time on Wednesday, August 19. On Thursday, 248 tests were completed and by early next week, the target will reach 300 tests per day. This increased sample processing has led to the discovery of more positive persons who were not tested before.
“There are now three shifts being done. While we are utilizing one PCR machine with three shifts at this time, we envision using multiple PCR machines by the end of the month, dramatically increasing our capacity for COVID-19 testing. The increased in positive COVID-19 cases at present is largely the consequence of the Government’s effort to increase testing. This means cases previously undetected because of low testing rate are now being detected. As we are able to detect cases faster, Guyana will be able to ensure we stop the spread of COVID-19 faster,” said the newly-appointed subject Minister.

False reports
The health minister also used the platform to strongly condemn irresponsible social media reports, which has been spreading untruths as it relates to testing for the virus.
The senior health official said that there are no ‘fake tests’ in the national system, nor is any country sending contaminated tests to Guyana. These acts have been labelled as a reckless campaign to spread false information to the public.
“There are no fake tests in the national system and no country is sending contaminated tests to Guyana,” the Minister contended.
He went on to say that Guyana has nurtured an international cooperation platform for COVID-19 testing and Besides working with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), Guyana is working closely with our counterparts in other Caribbean countries and with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) – headquartered in Trinidad.
“Guyana is working closely also with counterparts in the USA, Canada, Europe and other parts of the world. Guyana is grateful for the support we are receiving from many countries around the world and we reject the attempt by misguided individuals trying to cast aspersion against any country,” Dr Anthony added.
It was clarified that COVID-19 testing in Guyana is done with equipment and testing reagents from only validated and certified sources. The PCR testing for diagnostic purposes is being done at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory with a PCR machine that is used widely in the Caribbean, the US, Canada and Europe and other parts of the world.
“The COVID-19 test reagents which we presently used were supplied by PAHO/WHO. The swabs which we use to obtain specimens from persons who we test have been procured by PAHO/WHO. The test procedures we use in Guyana follow international standards and is the same standards used in Caribbean countries and in North America and Europe.”
While dispelling the allegations, he highlighted that there is a well-trained testing team, which will be expanded significantly. Laboratory staff presently engaged in testing for the coronavirus includes medical technologists who are highly qualified while additional 30 technologists are in training. They will be certified, using the same equipment used in Barbados and other Caribbean countries and in the United States and other developed countries. (G12)