After living in the UK for over a year to pursue her master’s degree, Zandile traveled back home to South Africa on the 20th of March 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. After experiencing symptoms, she rushed to the clinic on the 22nd of March for a screening. She was initially cleared, but when the symptoms persisted, she returned to the healthcare facility and demanded to get tested. On the 24th of March, Zandile was informed that she had tested positive for COVID-19. Listen as she narrates her journey to date.
FACTS & DEFINITIONS:
There’s sometimes confusion around the difference between screening and testing. Here’s the difference:
SCREENING: This is a measure taken to determine if you are at risk of contracting the virus. It may include answering questions about your recent activities and health. In some case, like in airports, screening can be done through temperature scanners to identify symptoms like fever.
TESTING: This includes collecting a biological sample from a suspected patient like a nasal swab or a blood sample which is then tested by a laboratory for a virus or its antibodies.
Source: www.sacoronvirus.co.za
