People considered to be in vulnerable groups are likely to get prioritised for COVID-19 testing. But in this report by SADE OGUNTOLA, experts insist that individuals with mild flu-like symptoms like cold and catarrh should also be tested for COVID-19 unless otherwise instructed by the relevant medical practitioner.
WHEN the coronavirus pandemic first emerged, public health officials told the world to watch out for its telltale symptoms: fever, dry cough and shortness of breath.
But as the virus spread across the globe, researchers are getting a better understanding of how these symptoms: headache, chill or sore throat, are common to lots of illnesses expressed in the general population and not necessarily in hospitalised patients.
COVID-19 has many symptoms. Some of these symptoms are highly distinctive and a strong indicator of an infection. Others, like headaches, chills or sore throat, are common to lots of illnesses.
Results from a new study indicate that people with cold-like symptoms, such as a cough or a runny nose should be advised to test for COVID-19 immediately because in many countries, community transmission of the virus has been established.
By minimising the delay in getting tested, the researchers argue that up to 80 per cent of new transmissions might up the risk of a second wave of COVID-19 transmission and therefore should be avoided.
Testing is only an effective solution if it is carried out swiftly at the first symptom as opposed to waiting for a doctor to determine whether or not a test would contribute to the treatment or care of a patient.
“If you have a persistent cough or sore throat that is enough to make you have a feeling of unwell, that may just be the sign to seek attention and then if necessary schedule for a COVID-19 test,” says Dr Pelumi Adebiyi, a public health expert at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
But not every cough, catarrh or sore throat is suggestive of COVID-19. By seeking attention early, medical experts after questioning and examination will be able to tell if it is necessary to have a COVID-19 test.
Dr Adebiyi added “that should increase the index of suspicion so that people will get tested. The more we test for COVID-19, the more we are confident that there is nobody transmitting it within the community.”
He declared that individuals living in areas where many cases of COVID-19 had been recorded should not ignore any symptom such as tiredness, muscle pains or diarrhoea that is more than 48 hours, even if it looks negligible.
“Persistent body weakness, headache or sore throat that is more than two days should prompt medical attention in another person that comes in from Kano. Those are the kind of things that we are talking about,” he said.
Dr Adebiyi, however, said such people after taking the test should also self-isolate while awaiting the result.
Self-isolation is voluntary seclusion at home by those who have or are likely to have COVID-19 and are experiencing mild symptoms of the disease in contrast to those who are severely ill and may be isolated in a hospital.
Dr Yemi Ojo, Press Liaison Officer, Risk Communication and Social Mobilisation Pillar of the Oyo State Emergency Operation Centre, stated that in Oyo State the presence of respiratory symptoms like cough, runny nose, shortness of breath and catarrh are enough indication to be tested for COVID-19.
He added that “in Oyo State, loss of sense of taste was the only thing that a person complained of when he came for the test.”
However, she added that individuals that feel that they might have been exposed to the infection because they had been in contact with a known infected person also need to be tested.
Dr Ojo, however, declared that many people have a wrong perception of COVID-19 tests and would not come out to be tested even when they have such symptoms as cough, catarrh, unremitting fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Moreover, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, unremitting fever, weakness or lethargy could be signs of pneumonia, which is common in severe cases of coronavirus infection.
Sadly, perception of testing in many communities is poor in Nigeria and for many reasons. According to Dr Ojo, “a lot of people do not want to go for testing because they feel that coronavirus is not real; they think that it is a trap by government to just pick people up and tell them that they are positive for the infection.
“Some, because of stigmatisation, don’t want to be tested whether by health workers at home or even at the Adamasigba walk-in or drive-through test centre. Some don’t want to hear that there are health workers around them. They push them away because they feel they can infect them with the virus.”
Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19: viral test and antibody test. An antibody test may not be able to show if one has a current infection because it can take between one and three weeks after infection to make antibodies which are important to help fight the infection.
In Oyo State, there is a drive-or-walk-through testing centre at Adamasingba Stadium for the general public. Also, officials of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) go to take testing samples of individuals that are very sick at their homes.
The EOC has four telephone lines that the public can call in. They will explain how to go about it. A link is sent to the person’s phone to fill a form online to generate a code. Individuals can also be helped to fill the form at the EOC call centre.
If a test result comes back positive, it is almost certain that the person is infected. A negative test result is less definite. An infected person could get a so-called “false negative” test result if the swab misses the virus, for example, or because of an inadequacy of the test itself.
Emerging science indicates that for COVID-19 the time from exposure to symptom onset (known as the incubation period) is thought to be three to 14 days, though symptoms typically appear within four or five days after exposure.
Also a person with COVID-19 may be contagious 48 to 72 hours before starting to experience symptoms. Such is also more likely to spread the virus to others during the 48-hour period before they start to experience symptoms.
“We realise that a lot of people in the country just live normally, but they should ensure that they use their face masks to reduce transmission as well as maintain physical distance of at least six feet,” she added.
She stated that even when an infected person is with no symptoms, such can still spread the virus to other people if they stand too close to them or refrain from behaviours that prevent the spread infections.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Buy and read digital replicas of your TRIBUNE titles by subscribing through E-VENDING
Pantami Used Armed Officers To Evict Our Staff, Abike Dabiri Alleges
The chairman, Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has alleged that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami used armed security men to eject NIDCOM from the offices which they occupied in the NCC building located at Mbora District… Read full story
Naira Set To Rally As CBN, ABCON Finalise BDCs’ Resumption Of Forex Sale
The naira is facing its greatest risk from the COVID-19 pandemic as currency speculators continue to make spurious demand for dollar with the hope of making good returns from the rising gaps between… Read full story
MONDAY LINE: Buhari’s Fifth May 29
MUHAMMADU Buhari’s first coming was from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985. It was a period of famine and pestilence; of queues for coins and corn and of lean liberty. His second coming will be five years old on Friday. Can he sit back and use his tongue to count his teeth? What has changed between his past… Read full story
China Tells US To Stop Wasting Time In Coronavirus Battle
The US should stop wasting time in its fight against the coronavirus and work with China to combat it, rather than spreading lies and attacking the country, the Chinese Government’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, said on Sunday. The Sino-US ties have nosedived since the outbreak of the new coronavirus… Read full story
The Continued Harassment Of Essential Workers
NOT a few Nigerians were miffed by the reports of arbitrary arrests and continued harassment of essential workers by the police immediately after the recent extension by the Federal Government of the partial lockdown and curfew imposed across the country to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 global pandemic. Initially,many thought that the police operatives were at it again, acting outside their briefs for pecuniary gain… Read full story
Subsidy Removal: Those Who Can’t Fix Refineries Should Give Way ― NLC
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that the Federal Government should not talk about; or contemplate fuel price increase; even as it stated that subsidy is a cover-up for inefficiency and corrupt in the system. The NLC gave this position, as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association… Read full story
The Looming Fiscal Crisis And The Wisdom Of Awolowo
In terms of financial wizardry and sheer genius in economic statecraft, the only master I bow to is the legendary sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I believe he was an extraordinary statesman and an economic genius to boot. Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon once observed: “If you know of a man greater… Read full story
COVID-19: Curfew Now 8pm To 5am In Oyo
The Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force, on Sunday, relaxed the existing curfew imposed on the state in respect of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic to between 8 pm and 5 am. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Taiwo Adisa, confirmed that the decision was reached at the… Read full story
Adeboye Speaks On How Coronavirus Will End, Urges Nigerians Not To Panic
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye on Sunday said only a big miracle would make the deadly coronavirus pandemic leave the world completely. Pastor Adeboye stated this on Sunday during a live broadcast to his members on Dove… Read full story
Southeast Governors Meet In Enugu, Explain Delay In Implementation Of Zonal Security Outfit
GOVERNORS of the Southeast geo-political zone on Sunday explained why they are foot-dragging on the commencement of their zonal security outfit, saying that the Inspector-General of Police is not keeping with the agreement they reached with him… Read full story
No Rift Between Makinde And I ― Oyo Deputy Governor
Contrary to speculation of a cold war between him and his boss, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Raufu Olaniyan, has said there is no rift whatsoever. Olaniyan described the relationship between him and Governor Seyi Makinde as “robust and cordial… Read full story
Buhari Tasks Farmers On Massive Food Production, Says ‘No Money For Food Importation’
President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged Nigerian farmers on the need to embark on massive productive agricultural activities this farming season as Nigeria has no money for food importation. The president gave the challenge shortly after observing this year’s Eid prayer alongside members of… Read full story
and then