Island residents are invited to participate in the first COVID-19 rapid testing drive set for Wednesday, January 6th, from 1PM to 4PM at the Central Park on Barrier Reef Drive. The test is FREE, and health representatives on the island organising the event urge the general public to take advantage of this initiative. Results will be available within 15 – 20 minutes, and those who test positive may need to take a PCR test for confirmation.
Dr. Javier Canul at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic urges islanders to take this opportunity to know their status concerning COVID-19. “We are encouraging the general public to get a rapid test, whether you have symptoms or not at the Central Park on Wednesday,” said Canul. The doctor said that the results of the drive should reveal if there are more cases on the island than those officially being reported.
Canul explained that if someone tests positive, they will be required to quarantine. They will receive social security benefits, and food assistance will be provided if necessary. No appointments are need to participate in the rapid test drive. The organisers hope to see as much participation as possible in this important move to try curbing the spread of the virus in San Pedro Town.
Rapid testing has reportedly been taking place in other parts of the country and is considered reliable when detecting COVID-19. The use of antigen rapid testing was first initiated at the Philip Goldson International Airport when it re-opened in October 2020. The test was then made available in municipalities around the country only to symptomatic patients and those who had close contact with a confirmed case. The test drive on the island, however, is opened to anyone that may want to know their status and avoid the potential spreading of the virus to loved ones and friends.