Joburgers who tested positive for the novel coronavirus or those who have been in contact with someone who contracted the virus are urged to participate in a voluntary test conducted by the National Health Laboratory Service.
Designed to verify whether or not the rapid test kits being brought and widely used in the country are effective, the collaborative scientific endeavour will be carried out in association with the University of Witwatersrand.
The university’s Head of Immunology and Principal Investigator, Professor Elizabeth Mayne says rapid testing kits for the Covid-19 pandemic are available in the country but their results are not always conclusive or accurate.
“We are under pressure to find test kits that work. If the results aren’t accurate, someone could believe they don’t have coronavirus, not self-isolate and go on to infect others,” explains Professor Mayne.
The study has been approved by the university’s Human Research Ethics Committee and requires about 300 participants.
To examine the efficacy of the rapid test kits, Professor Mayne says samples are required from people who contracted coronavirus or those who have antibodies for the pandemic.
Participants will be tested by a nurse wearing full personal protective equipment in the comfort of their homes. The nurse will take around eight teaspoons of blood, some saliva and some mouth/throat swabs.
Volunteers may be requested to provide personal information such as their age, underlying conditions like high blood pressure and chronic lung diseases, any medication being taken when they tested positive, travel history and asked if they had any symptoms.
However, Professor Mayne says participants may not be able to access their test results as these will be deemed scientific specimens. Residents interested in the study may contact Professor Mayne on elizabeth.mayne@nhls.ac.za or telephone 082 337 6349.
Written by Takalani Sioga
