Has there been an awakening in the population’s consciousness? Since the announcement by the Minister of Health, at the NCC on Friday 5 November, about the 25 confirmed cases of the Delta Variant out of 33 samples tested during the last sequencing, people have been rushing to get themselves tested, even more so since this Wednesday with the closing of schools. Long queues and hours of waiting in front of public and private organisations and pharmacies. The population is increasingly concerned about their better health. On a positive note, the Pharmacies Association Mauritius advises against panic buying of self-tests.
Several hundreds per centre
The interest of the population to be tested so as to reassure themselves is growing. They are many at the testing centres, the 5 regional hospitals and the Flu Clinics. “Many people have been coming to be tested since the beginning of last week and even more since the beginning of this week. Each centre has received several hundred people since Monday. Dr. Jagutpal’s press conference and the closure of schools are pushing people to come and get themselves tested. They are very worried and we understand them, Delta is threatening everyone. The problem that we are facing is that they are demanding PCR tests. This is only decided only by the doctor or if not, by a private doctor. I must admit that like my other colleagues with whom I interact, in the various flu clinics and the 5 regional hospitals, I also find it difficult to deal with this exigency and the aggressive tone of some when they get a negative response to their requests for PCR tests after waiting for a long time in the line. They are asymptomatic, vaccinated and scared. We have to admit that the public is in a certain psychosis, but as long as they come to be tested to reassure themselves, it’s fine,” says a nurse attached to the Flu Clinic at Victoria Hospital. Many members of the public are wondering why the Ministry of Health is not deploying Mass Testing teams.
Clinics and laboratories very frequented
The crowds are not as dense at the Private Clinics and Laboratories but interest in Covid 19 testing has increased. “We have seen an increase in the number of people interested in the Covid 19 tests, especially for PCR and RT PCR,” says a nurse attached to the C-Lab. This group offers the Covid-19 RT-PCR test, Covid-19 RT-PCR test by GeneXpert, Covid-19 IgG& IgM test, Covid-19 IgG& IgM Rapid test, Covid-19 Rapid Antigen test, Covid-19 Rapid Antigen salivary. It also offers a Drive Thru option where the person is tested in his car and payment is by card or cash! For small laboratories, this is a blessing. The Covid-19 Rapid Antigen tests are the most popular. For Dr Dawood Oaris, President of the Association of Private Clinics in Mauritius, “The most reliable remains the PCR test, the person, who wants precise details on his health, can be reassured within 24 hours. The Rapid Test is also reliable and especially as long as the test is carried out by a professional and the person tested can count on the advice of a doctor attached to the department. There are about 4 clinics that regularly perform PCR and Rapid Test. I would advise those interested to look into these professionally performed options. I do not vote against the Self Testing Kit. If the test is performed to the letter as indicated, the results will be reliable. But the question remains, how many do it correctly?”
About ten varieties of Self Tests Kits on sale
They are the most popular. The pharmacies approved for its sale and marketing cannot complain. “There are currently about ten brands on sale in approved pharmacies. The price is around Rs 260,” says Yamini Moothoosamy Murugesan, President of Pharmacies Association Mauritius. One could say that these Self-Test Kits are selling like hotcakes. But the President of the PAM does not hide “We are noticing a panic buying of Self Kits, but also of immune system boosters, such Vitamin C and Multivitamins as well as paracetamol-based medicines. I don’t advise against buying them, if people want to reassure themselves and boost their immune system, that’s positive, but panic buying can create a shortage for those who are really in an urgency. These are drugs and testers that are regularly restocked. Furthermore, I would ask buyers to purchase Self Testing Kits only from pharmacies. With the trend, we fear having counter-measures on the market,” she advises. An increase in the sale of natural anti-viral, homeopathic and naturopathic products has also been noticed by the PAM.
