Tonga’s CoViD-19 machines tested and ready [1]
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 - 18:21. Updated on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 - 18:47.
A few tests performed to ensure Tonga’s CoViD-19 machines are working came back negative, confirmed Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola.
“Three tests have been done and the machines performed very well as expected. All tests were negative as expected too.”
Tonga has three CoViD-19 testing machines, one GeneXpert and two PCR’s. The GeneXpert and one PCR will be used for testing while the other PCR will be kept as a backup.
The machines can run tests only to confirm if someone has CoViD-19 at the time of testing.
However, there are other machines that reveal if someone has been exposed to CoViD-19 in the past.
“Another test that can show if someone has recovered from CoVid-19 is the antibody test but it becomes positive only after 1-3 weeks from when someone has been infected with the virus,” said Dr ‘Akau’ola.
“We can get antibody test reagents for this type of test easily from Australia – at no cost to us. However, we will go down that path when we have a positive CoVid-19 case in Tonga in future. For now, there is no need for it.”
CoViD-19 recovery
When people are recovering from CoViD-19, “this is shown by absence of symptoms for three days and two subsequent negative PCR CoViD tests, done at least 24 hours apart”.
“However, it is also recommended that people who recover from CoViD-19 should still keep wearing masks, and keep social distancing isolated from others for another two weeks,” said Dr ‘Akau’ola.
“This quarantine can be done either at home or at a hospital setting depending on safety and practicality; and also importantly, our ability to monitor its effectiveness.”
Tonga’s first repatriation flight is expected on Thursday, 9 July, from Fiji.