I recently travelled to the USA for a period of 2 weeks, and was accompanied by my 80 year old mom. I along with my entire household are fully vaccinated, and was very meticulous in following all protocols including masking at all times, social distancing as much as possible and sanitising. Upon my return to Anguilla I was re-tested at the port the result of which was negative.
I was advised via email that I should quarantine for a period of 4 days and then, on the fourth day, I should go to the Ministry of Health to do my exit test to which I gladly complied. During my swabbing experience, I did not feel when the swab entered my nostril, and asked the nurse if she was finished, to which she replied ‘All Done!’ I have done approximately 9 tests during the past 3 months, so I know what it is to be swabbed properly, and effectively. However, I had my doubts that the swab was sufficient to provide a suitable sampling. The following day, I tried calling the contact number (497 3930) for my results, only to receive an automated message which said, “End destination cannot be reached.” On the fifth day, I received a call at 7:30 am that my mom had tested negative for her exit test. I asked about the status of my test and was told that my results were in another batch and I would be called later that day.
In my conversation with one of the agents who I contacted personally, I was told that my test was inconclusive and is with the Chief Medical Officer who would give me a call later during the day. By this time, you can imagine the anxiety beginning to mount as I’m thinking I must have tested positive but is being left in suspense. I received a call a little after 2:00 p.m. which heightened my anxiety as I was told by the doctor that I seem to have been exposed as my test results came back positive for Covid19. I retorted, “How could it go from Inconclusive to Positive?” The doctor proceeded to ask me pertinent questions relative to the results in hand, but I challenged the result, and therefore I was asked to be re-tested in a few days.
I slept on the result, but did not settle for a positive result especially as it was an alleged older infection. I therefore made contact with my personal doctor, Dr. Lowell Hughes, and arranged to have an independent test done. Within a few hours, my doctor called and alerted me to check my email for my results from his clinic. Indeed, the test was negative and, according to the doctor, “Without a trace of positive.” Although I received that negative result from an authorized Medical Facility, I still had to re-test at the Ministry on the following day. This time the test was properly executed), but I had to remain in quarantine until those results came back 24 hours later because I could only be cleared by the Chief Medical Officer. On the morning of eighth day I received a call at 7:25 to inform me that I was negative, and was therefore released.
My Take a-ways and questions are as follows:
1: How many other persons tested positive and were not truly positive?
2: If I received a negative result from the only other authorised testing facility, why could I not be immediately released?
3: Was the reason for the positive result a matter of the swab not being properly administered, or was the equipment faulty? Persons administering the tests should be duly qualified to do so.
4: Why did it take almost 24 hours after my second test to be released? There was no sense of urgency in escalating or advancing my test results, although I forwarded my results to the Health Department immediately after receiving them.
5: Are we receiving authentic tests or are we receiving placebos? Are some of the swabs compromised or cross contaminated?
I beg of the governing authorities, and the Ministry, to check into the number of positive cases we have been seeing lately, to ensure that persons do not go through the mental trauma and anxiety that I have been through after receiving word of a positive test. I would also suggest that the swabbing be taken seriously and be done accurately. If in doubt the patients can do the swabbing themselves as they would know their comfort levels. Anyone can receive a positive result, but it must be authentic as we are all susceptible.
The aim of my writing is not to discredit the system but rather to challenge it by highlighting some possible irregularities and flaws, and to ensure that persons receive the correct results. As a businessowner, besides the loss in business opportunities, the mental trauma was most concerning.
In closing, I would like to sincerely thank those persons who have gone above and beyond to assist me in getting my results and for their genuine care and concern. I join with our medical professionals and caution all to take all necessary precautions to avoid this deadly virus. I am still convinced that the vaccine helps in fighting this deadly virus.
Submitted by Sandra D Richardson
