Where are the samples being tested?
Within the public sector, samples are being tested at the following locations:
- Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
- UWI Molecular Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Medical Laboratory at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex
- Sangre Grande Hospital Laboratory
- Scarborough General Hospital Laboratory
- San Fernando General Hospital Laboratory soon.
Within the non-governmental sector samples are being tested at the Medical Research Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health has reviewed the COVID-19 testing protocols of the following entities and have found them to be acceptable:
Click here to view the list of reviewed and acceptable private entities for COVID-19 testing.
Who needs to be tested?
This will be determined by the public health officials depending on the evolving situation. These are in accordance with the guidance provided by the World Health Organization. Not everyone with flu-like symptoms needs to be tested. At this time, if you do not fit the criteria, testing will not be performed. Factors such as clinical history, travel history and/or contact with a COVID-19 positive patient are considered. The advice varies and some countries and international news report different arrangements based on their individual situation. Please follow only to the official information sources regarding all issues related to COVID-19 to avoid misinformation.
Where and how are the tests taken?
Currently this test requires a special swab to be taken at the back of the throat. This swab is then transported to the lab at CARPHA via the national Trinidad Public Health Laboratory (TPHL). New tests are however being developed and this may change in the future. Source: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) and World Health Organisation (www.who.int).
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