COVID-19 test results go from lab to Minister

The Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence on Saturday confirmed that results of tests done for COVID-19 are sent to her and “relevant heads.”

Doctors have expressed frustration with this procedure since, for them, it is imperative that the doctors get the results first so they can know how to treat the patient.

The Minister confirmed that she receives the results first during a virtual press conference.

The doctors, speaking on condition of anonymity, say it sometimes takes 12-18 hours after the results of the tests are known before they get it.

Dr Vindhya Persaud, who has been speaking about the COVID-19 response, has called the situation disturbing.

“This clamp down attitude is endangering healthcare workers and delaying the care that patients may need based on test results,” she stated in a Facebook post.