Covid-19: Two tests, different results

Two days after the inconclusive result from my first test, I decided to go for a second test. This time, I went to a major hospital.

On inquiring with the receptionist, I was told it would cost Sh12,500, including a referral letter required by my insurance company. If I tested positive, a health official would visit me to assess whether I qualified for home-based care or had to be admitted.

The admission process at the hospital reminded me of the scary stories I had read in the media. In one instance, someone had been charged almost Sh800,000 for 14 days of monitoring vitals, food, and pain medication.

I also envisioned overzealous health officials showing up at night in an ambulance, dressed in those frightful PPE gear and placing our entire housing complex under quarantine, thereby disrupting life for my neighbours with whom I have had no contact.

I sat at the reception for a while, pondering over these thoughts. Eventually, I went back home without retesting. I psyched myself to stay calm and positive (by which I mean hopeful).

However, my family was quite concerned and worried that I could end up in the minority group that developed severe symptoms.

Different hospital

To put their minds at ease, on the fourth day, I went to a different hospital, more highly regarded, and where the Covid-19 test costs Sh10,000. Here, I learnt that a specific number of tests are administered daily on a first-come first-served basis.

The wait was very long, which caused confusion around the process to be followed.

There was a large group of people waiting, many evidently unwell; some were sitting, and many often crowded together around the register every time names were called.

The anxiety in the waiting area was palpable. I got the impression that people could get Covid-19 in the waiting area. There was no triage to separate those who posed a higher risk to others.

After seven long hours of waiting, I got tested. This time around, I got a text message with my results within 28 hours: “COVID-19 NEGATIVE”!

So, what, you might ask? My encounter with Covid-19 has bared to me the real threat of this virus, the sickness and worries it causes to individual families.

Even with knowledge and experience of communicable diseases, the reality is you never know how to react until you are personally affected. The possible infection caused me sleepless nights, and my family untold psychological tension.

To me, the possibility, however remote, that I could be one step away from death, was quite unnerving. I feel compelled to remind those of us who have not had to deal with Covid-19 directly that we really must be vigilant about prevention.

Covid-19 test

True, the Covid-19 test is available, but it is not really accessible to all. I spent a total of Sh20,000 on two tests, an amount that is unaffordable by the majority of Kenyans.

I had different experiences at the two facilities where I was tested, which is a problem because there is no uniformity of procedures, costs and outcomes.

This makes it harder to have a successful public health campaign, which should rely on accurate information, education and confidence in the system.

The laboratory I initially went to was strict about maintaining social distancing, and the process was relatively fast. I received an email report with details on the type of test that had been conducted, which provided the context for me to understand and interpret my results, albeit confusing.

 Prior to this, I assumed that one would get a phone call following a positive sample to check if they had become symptomatic, and/or with requisite information on prevention and management. Apparently that is not the case. In most cases, when you get tested, you are on your own, whether you turn out to be positive or negative.

Standard information

At the hospital I was required to return to the facility to pick up a hard copy of my result. I then had to engage in a heated exchange with the laboratory staff in order to get information on the specific test used on my specimen.

In my view, the name and type of test used as well as interpretation of results should be part of the standard information provided to clients. It was particularly important to me that I get a confirmatory result using a different test based on my first result.

Here is the kicker. You are essentially on your own in terms of sourcing the tests and finding treatment where needed. I cannot think of a better reason to make a very deliberate prevention effort, and to adopt practices that minimise our chances of developing serious symptoms by boosting our bodies’ immunity.

We must also keep abreast of the emerging facts regarding prevention and management of Covid-19.