COVID Q and A - POST #1

Similar questions keep coming up in the comments section of these posts. My trusted university student colleague has taken the time to pull the most common questions out and here they are.

1/ How can I get tested? Do I need an appointment? Is the testing available to everyone?

Most municipalities have testing sites. Log on to your regional public health unit website to find out where the testing site is. If you do not have internet, call your local hospital for details. In some regions, you need an appointment, in others you can just walk in. The test is available to everyone.

2/ What kind of test is it?

The COVID 19 test is a nasopharyngeal swab. The prescriber who takes the test is fully dressed in protective equipment. You are given a surgical mask when you enter the building. All public health guidelines for the prevention of COVID 19 are strictly adhered to at every clinic. You won't get COVID 19 at these sites. A swab is inserted into one of your nostrils deep into the back, twirled and done. It stings but it is quick.

This week, a rapid test was approved for use, made by a Guelph company by the way, which will give results within an hour. This will be used in remote areas where testing sites are not readily available.

3/ Where do I get my results and how long does it take to get results?

It takes about 3 or 4 days to get a test result back. Public health will call you if it is positive. You won't receive a call if it is negative. If you bring your OHIP number to the testing site, you can find your results on a confidential provincial website. Ask for details about this site at the testing centre. Your family doctor will get your results as well but not as quickly as you can online.

4/ What do you think a second wave will look like and is the health care community prepared for a second wave?

In Canada, your health care system is prepared for a second wave, if one happens. It all depends on our response to public health guidelines. We have done such a great job at controlling this virus so far, that no hospital ICU's were overwhelmed beyond capacity. The hospitals have been re-structured to quickly make room should a second wave occur. Testing sites are testing up to 20,000 people a day in the province with a goal to test 50,000 a day. Testing and contact tracing will allow for small outbreaks to be quickly identified. People who have been exposed to a person who tests positive will be tested and quarantined until their test result is back. It is this efficient testing and tracing system that could prevent a second wave. If we keep adhering to our public health guidelines, what we will see is a low level of infection with quickly contained outbreaks, all that can be easily handled by our health care system. An intact system allows for the early hospitalization of people with COVID 19 who have severe symptoms. These folks are much more likely to recover when they receive assistance early reducing the death rate dramatically.

In Guelph, as of July 10, there is only one person in hospital with COVID 19, one newly confirmed and 10 active cases, 217 cases in total since the beginning of the pandemic and 197 of those have resolved. We have had 11 deaths and that number has held steady now for weeks. This low level of infection, high level of recovery and low mortality rate is what I believe we will see until there is a vaccine or an effective medication that prevents COVID 19 from progressing to a lethal stage.

WE CAN AVOID A SECOND WAVE. PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND MASKE WEARING BY EVERYONE WHO CAN WEAR ONE IS KEY TO THIS.

5/ What do you think the likelihood of a vaccine or treatment or treatment is anytime soon?

I will take a stab at this but this is only my best prediction based on the science and how far the global scientific community has already come. I think we will have an effective vaccine by the new year. It has to be mass produced for 8 billion people; a massive technical and strategic feat but we'll get it done.

Medications for the virus ( anti-virals) are already being used in severely ill patients with some success. The world has made remarkable advancements in this area of medicine. We have found a treatment that eradicates hepatitis C and treatments that make HIV a chronic, manageable disease (both of these are deadly viruses). What we have learned in this area is now being used to find an anti-viral that could make COVID 19 no more lethal than a common cold.

Lots of hope here but, good science takes time. We will be living with this virus for quite a long time. Opening up the economy and schools while we wait, is vital to the health and well being of the population. Staying indoors and isolated will do much more harm than COVID 19 can do.

This is where courage and resolve is required. We can live with this virus but we need to be so focused on caring for ourselves and one another while listening to our leaders and adhering to public health guidelines. Turn away from fear and uncertainty. I have put my life and the life of my family and friends into the hands of good leadership and science and I have absolutely no doubt that this direction will get us through. Stay focused. Find endurance and tenacity and do not give into complacency, fear or distrust. Rise above the nastiness that is out there. We've got your back, regardless of what the nay sayers say.

Well, that was not so bad. Five questions answered, only five more to go. I will try to cover re-opening and the risks, returning to school, visiting friends indoors safely as fall approaches and more on masks for those in areas where they have just become mandatory.

Much appreciated if you can donate. The strength in our communities becomes like titanium when we care for those in need. There will be more and more folks in need as the consequences of the economic shut down plays out this fall and winter. If you have a lot, share it.

Anne-Marie

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