Outrage as Nigerians wait for one week to get covid 19 result

Nigerians on coronavirus infection watch list now have to wait for a week or more to get their results, it has been gathered.

Many people who are anxious to know their status have to endure days of uncertainty and trauma, our correspondents from across the states report.

States without testing centres also face challenges sending samples to Abuja or other neighbouring states, while health officials work under pressure to collect samples while managing the suspecting cases before the release of the results.

Checks revealed that the delay, which in most cases takes over one week have put suspected victims, their families and healthcare givers on the edge.

Some patients die or their conditions get worse while others recover from their symptoms before the results arrive with experts saying the development was aiding community transmission and complication, making efforts to stem spread impossible.

‘Samples, distance determine result time’

A source at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), however, said the time of results depends on factors such as the quantity of samples to be tested and the distance for the sample to reach the lab.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, had during a briefing on March 31, said: “It takes 24 to 48 hours for a coronavirus test to be done and the result released.”

Ihekweazu said the NCDC was working towards reducing the duration to 12 hours.

“Molecular testing is carried out in runs. One run can take six to seven hours. We have now almost optimised the process to do three runs a day in each lab.”

However, with just about 17 molecular laboratory test centres nationwide, experts said it takes a lot of time to convey samples to designated locations.

Our reporters observed that NCDC engages the services of some transport firms for its logistics.

It has unveiled two mobile labs in Lagos and Ogun, with the third donated by Dangote for Kano.