Doing swab tests the right way

I WOULD like to bring to the attention of the Health Ministry director-general that the Covid-19 swab tests being conducted by public healthcare workers are not consistent with the recommended practice that, ironically, was established by the Health Ministry.

Healthcare providers are taught how to do the swabs in a series of workshops that are conducted regularly now. For the general public, the Covid-19 test is done with a thin swab stick that is inserted deep into both nostrils (nasopharyngeal) and another swab is inserted through the mouth to reach the back of the throat (oropharyngeal). Both swabs are then placed into the same container and sent to labs recommended by the Health Ministry.