Just six people were tested up to Friday in the COVID-19 community outreach programme of Collective Prevention Services (CPS). They visited three districts, namely Sucker Garden, the Cay Bay area and Cay Hill.
Only those who come forward or are asked due to flu-like symptoms get tested, but that is still an extremely low number. Authorities think fear of being stigmatised plays a role, which is highly regrettable.
The question is how to continue, with 900 test kits having arrived last Thursday. Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs on Friday announced a “new strategy” but did not elaborate, although Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Richard Panneflek mentioned rapid testing during Saturday’s Central Committee meeting of Parliament on the budget (see related story).
The goal is to get more accurate numbers on the local infection rate, but full cooperation of the entire population is needed. Calls to family doctors or CPS to report symptoms are also handled with full confidentiality.
While nine potential patients had in fact been identified during the outreach, three declined to get tested. The number of persons with symptoms staying out of sight altogether is probably much bigger.
Some have suggested mandatory testing for not just suspected cases but all others they may have been in contact with. This is a tall order and a legally complex situation that would possibly require an adequate facility for such.
However, perhaps the teams involved could be a bit more persistent, backed by law enforcement. There are indications that maybe they have been a bit too easily discouraged or not thorough enough in their approach. The use of community leaders to help identify possible infections is important especially where it regards immigrants who speak foreign languages.
The French side is facing similar issues and plans to start testing in French Quarter, Sandy Ground and St. James (see related story). The impression exists that there is underreporting especially in neighbourhoods with cramped living conditions and unsuitable housing, where people also do not seem to be consulting doctors.
At this point, citizens should not hesitate to report neighbours with suspect symptoms. It is not a matter of “ratting out” or “snitching on” anyone, but rather of getting to patients early so they can be isolated and treated before this deadly disease puts at risk their own lives and those of others.
