Since the pandemic reached our shores, requiring mass testing across the country to try and curb the spread, concerns have been raised about the capabilities of our labs to handle the load.

The test itself is relatively simple, but the diagnostic process takes time and effort.

The time taken from obtaining the sample to processing it, and finally communicating the result, is influenced by the speed with which the sample reaches the lab, the lab’s capacity to run the test, access to reagents, the number of analysis machines available, and staff availability.

Unforeseen errors could also lead to re-testing.

The communication process, or how soon the information is relayed back to the person tested, depends on all of the above.

Accurately diagnosing the novel coronavirus relies on a laboratory test.

While the immunology department at Witwatersrand University is testing existing rapid tests for COVID-19, it could be a while before those become available.

As it stands, South Africa is worryingly behind on our testing, according to News24.

South Africa is anywhere between three and 10 days behind on testing, depending on whether you ask Health Minister Zweli Mkhize or his acting director-general, Dr Anban Pillay.

…According to Pillay, they were roughly 10 days, or 80 000 tests, behind.

But according to Mkhize, the actual backlog was 30 000, which would mean public labs were three-and-a-half days behind.

Despite an evident lack of communication between Mkhize, Pillay, and the labs, what is clear is that state-run laboratories are struggling with a backlog of COVID-19 tests.

With the average incubation period for Covid-19 sitting at five days, it’s important to make sure that the infected receive their results as soon as possible so that they don’t infect others.

Joining Mkhize and Pillay in the numbers game was Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who claimed the national testing backlog actually stood at 100 000.

Late on Thursday night, Winde shared a slide on Twitter from a National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) presentation:

Image: Alan Winde/Twitter

I don’t know what’s more concerning – the backlog, or the fact that government doesn’t seem to be able to get a handle on the numbers which doesn’t bode well for its handling of the situation.

The NHLS, which manages government laboratories, has refused to divulge detailed testing data, particularly sample collection and delivery data, amid unexplained spikes and drops in daily testing numbers this week.

Between 4 and 27 May, NHLS labs tested on average, 8 452 samples a day, an average weighted by a massive spike in the reported number of tests released by Mkhize on Wednesday – 18 065, over 3 000 and 5 000 reported on Monday and Tuesday.

Rudi Louw put together a graphic that outlines the number of tests conducted daily by public laboratories as reported by the Department of Health, per NHLS.

Image: Rudi Louw/ News24

Tests conducted on May 25 were not reported on May 26, accounting for the large spike on May 27.

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases, in its latest testing summary report, published information showing the time between testing and diagnosis:

Image: Rudi Louw/ News24

Testing data is key to understanding the progression of COVID-19. You can read a detailed breakdown of why, here.

The long and short of it is that we can’t make accurate predictions about where South Africa stands, without complete information about where the virus has spread and how many are infected.

Increased testing measures may be in place at various hotspots around the country, but other areas may have increased infection numbers without any clue that there is an outbreak.

One of the government’s top priorities needs to be that testing backlog, and it needs to happen quickly.

[source:news24]