No more Covid-19 testing if you’re younger than 55

Related article: 'Western Cape must show seemingly out-of-control numbers can be reined in'
Health officials in the Cape Metro will now only test for Covid-19 in people with comorbidities that are older than 55.
Everyone who accesses a health facility will get screened but only those who have symptoms and fall in the following categories will be tested:
-
People already in hospital with Covid-19 symptoms.
-
Health care workers with Covid-19 symptoms.
-
People who are older than 55 with diabetes or hypertension and Covid-19 symptoms.
-
People who are younger than 55 with underlying conditions and Covid-19 symptoms.
-
People who live in a care home or an old age home with Covid-19 symptoms.
Pippa Hudson asked Dr Keith Cloete (Head of Health at the Western Cape Department of Health) why the approach to testing has changed.
We want to reduce mortality… our focus turns away from people least at risk… we want to preserve tests for where it makes the most difference…
Dr Keith Cloete, Head of Health - Western Cape Department of Health
If you’re younger than 55 and you have symptoms, assume you have Covid-19… After 14 days, you’ll be fine… There’s no purpose in getting a test.
Dr Keith Cloete, Head of Health - Western Cape Department of Health
Screening is vital…
Dr Keith Cloete, Head of Health - Western Cape Department of Health
In other areas, you can still get tested. In the Metro, we’re at the point that we’re [only] looking at the vulnerable.
Dr Keith Cloete, Head of Health - Western Cape Department of Health
Listen to the interview in the audio below.

Source : https://www.123rf.com/photo_141441865_top-view-of-test-tubes-with-blood-samples-and-coronavirus-lettering-on-red-background.html?term=covid19%2Btest&vti=ocpsmep8k26m1konus-1-9
More from Covid-19 coronavirus explained

[WATCH] Defiant Chinese shoppers revolt against snap lockdown at Shanghai store
Refilwe Moloto interviews international correspondent Adam Gilchrist.
Read More
China unable to move on from COVID-19, losing its grip on youth unemployment

China locks down 970,000 in Wuhan after 4 asymptomatic COVID-19 cases
Refilwe Moloto interviews international correspondent Adam Gilchrist.
Read More
Did lockdown do more harm than good? Professor Jonathan Jansen thinks so

SA's Prof Tulio de Oliviera among world’s 100 most influential – Time Magazine
Refilwe Moloto interviews Professor Tulio de Oliveira of Stellenbosch University.
Read More
Catastrophe unfolds in North Korea as COVID-19 runs rampant
John Maytham interviews international correspondent Adam Gilchrist.
Read More
With waning immunity, more severe flu season expected this winter
John Maytham interviews vaccinologist Professor Shabir Mahdi of the University of the Witwatersrand.
Read More
New Covid-19 variant 'Omicron XE' emerges in UK
Refilwe Moloto interviews Dr Jeremy Nel, an infectious disease expert at Wits University.
Read More