Covid-19 testing sites in Hessequa

People are not always sure what to do when they think they have Covid-19, or sure where to go.

"If you have flu symptoms, such as fever, body ache, dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing, or a loss of taste or smell, you might have the Coronavirus.

"You must be screened by answering specific questions about your health before you can go for testing," said Nadia Ferreira, Principal Communications Officer of the Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts of Western Cape Government Health.

You can use the self-screening tool on the website (www.westerncape.gov.za/ coronavirus), call the provincial hotline (021 928 4102) or call your local facility. After completing the screening, you will be referred for testing if necessary.

Which are the public testing sites in Hessequa?

• Slangrivier Satellite Clinic (028 722 2522);

• Heidelberg Clinic (028 722 1441);

• Riversdale Clinic (028 713 8600);

• Albertinia Clinic (028 735 1045);

• Melkhoutfontein Satellite Clinic (028 754 1978); and

• Stilbaai Satellite Clinic (028 754 1978). You can phone them between office hours only (07:30 - 16:00). your test results.

You will receive an SMS from NHLS (National Health Laboratory Service) with your test result (positive or negative) to the contact number you provided. If you are positive, you will be contacted by the contact tracing team for further instructions.

When you have been diagnosed with Covid -19, has had mild symptoms only and has been in isolation for 14 days, you are considered recovered and may return to work. This also applies to a person who self-isolates for 14 days after the onset of Covid-19 symptoms without testing. Public health facilities will not re-test anyone after 14 days of isolation.

"We have received numerous requests from private companies to retest their staff or to issue them with a letter to confirm that they don’t have Covid-19 anymore. The re-test will not be done, but the Western Cape Government Health can issue a letter to confirm that a person is fit for work after this above period of isolation," said Ferreira.

Contact your nearest clinic for this. Testing in the public sector is free of charge. However, you will only be tested if you have been screened and meet the criteria for testing.