PathCare limits COVID-19 travel testing in Western Cape

The surge of new COVID-19 cases during the second wave is not only threatening ICU capacity but is forcing laboratory facilities to take drastic measures as well. PathCare announced a restriction on testing in the Western Cape.

COVID-19 travel testing in Western Cape

PathCare reaches capacity

The people-focused, technology-driven pathology practice said on Facebook that all testing will now be reserved for patients only. They explained that their “capacity to make testing available to travellers has been exceeded”.

PathCare assured patients that they will “honour those appointments that have already been made”, but won’t be able to test new patients due to the “increase in COVID-19 cases in the Western Cape [being] so great”.

“With immediate effect we cannot provide SARS-CoV-2 testing for international travel purposes”.

PathCare website

COVID-19 travel testing on hold at these facilities

As per the company’s announcement on social media, they cannot accept any travellers for testing at the following facilities:

• Cape Town Northern Suburbs
• & Southern Suburbs
• Central West Coast
• Somerset West
• Paarl
• Hermanus
• Worcester

This follows just days after PathCare Namibia announced that they would only be able to test 150 travellers in Windhoek, 50 in Swakopmund and 50 in Walvis Bay. The capacity dropped for Ongwediva, where they would only be to test 30.

Provision was also made to test residents in 20 Otjiwarongo. In addition, PathCare Nambia said it would still carry out normal testing for people presenting with COVID-19 symptoms.

COVID-19 in South Africa: Update

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize issued a stern warning on Wednesday 23 December, when 14 046 new cases and 411 deaths were recorded during a 24-hour period. Mkhize warned:

“We can never stress enough the need for citizens to take every precaution necessary as we celebrate the festive season and look for reprieve from a tough year. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is unrelenting and we, therefore, cannot afford to be complacent at this stage”.

He explained that the COVID-19 virus continues to spread exponentially in South Africa. In addition, the second wave – along with the new COVID-19 variant – spreads much faster than the first wave.

Also read: Second wave of COVID-19 cases sees WC roll out antigen testing

Tougher lockdown restrictions

The health minister urges all South Africans to adhere to the regulations and recommendations pertaining to the National State of Disaster. This also includes avoiding large gatherings, the wearing of masks and social distancing.

The situation will be monitored and Dr Mkhize warns that tougher lockdown restrictions could be in the pipeline.

“We will need to review the current restrictions and consider further measures to ensure that we curb this alarming rate of spread. Therefore, it will be important for us to evaluate the situation in these provinces, identify hotspots in these areas (and in other provinces) before making recommendations based on these findings.”