While we’re still battling the COVID-19 pandemic, things are getting back to normal. However, we haven’t fully overcome this menace as of now. You’re probably aware of coronavirus testing to detect the COVID-19 for travel. If you want to travel out of Seychelles urgently, we are here to help you understand the COVID-19 test procedure.
Seychelles Medical Services have various certified testing centers in major islands like Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. You can visit any testing center nearest to your place and schedule a coronavirus testing appointment.
Or- you can simply book your appointment online with us, and call our team to collect your samples.
Understanding the Covid test procedure is pivotal. The reason is that not every type of test is accurate. In the case of international travel- each country demands a different type of negative test to allow entry. To make the best decision- you must know which test will give you the results that will suit your purpose.
Not every testing lab can provide you with a high-authority clearance certificate for international travel. For that, you should trust only reputed service providers like Seychelles Medical. Let us tell you how covid test is done.
Types of Covid tests at Seychelles
COVID-19 tests can detect current infection or past infection. You can take Rapid Antigen Tests and PCR tests for detecting symptoms of COVID-19 from us.
- Rapid Antigen tests give quick results by diagnosing respiratory pathogens like influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial viruses. Therefore, the FDA has given thumbs up to Rapid Antigen tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2. We have health professionals who perform this test with nasal swabs placed into the assay’s extraction reagent.
- PCR tests directly detect the existence of viral RNA present in the body before symptoms of the disease or antibodies. It means the PCR test can show whether one has the virus in the initial stage of their illness or not. PCR Tests can detect even a solitary strand of RNA present in the sample. This high sensitivity may not be available with diagnostic methods such as culture or serology. The PCR tests have accuracy, precision, and reliability, making them the “gold standard” for diagnostic coronavirus testing.
Who should take coronavirus testing for current infection?
Fully vaccinated travelers should take the test at least five days following known exposure to a person suspected of having COVID or a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Put on a mask when in the presence of others or when you step out.
Until you get a negative test result, avoid going out and isolating yourself in your home. In the case of unvaccinated people, they are at higher risk for COVID-19.
If you tested positive in the last three months and recovered, you don’t need to take the test as long as you don’t have new symptoms.
CDC recommends taking the test if one shows any signs of COVID-19 regardless of prior infection or vaccination status. So, if you take the test after you are symptomatic or exposed to the virus, keep your distance from others until you get the test results.
Check out for these most common symptoms:
- Cough
- Fever
- Loss of taste or smell
- Tiredness
Less common symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Discoloration of toes or fingers
- Aches and pains
- Red eyes
Serious symptoms:
- Loss of speech or mobility
- Difficulty in breathing
- Chest pain
How to go about the COVID test procedure in Seychelles?
Visit your nearest testing site by contacting us, get all the updated information about rt pcr pricing from our website.
Check out which type of viral COVID-19 tests you want to take.
In any case, if you can’t come to any of our centers, our team can come to your place and collect your sample.
Get fully vaccinated to travel internationally
Every country has specific restrictions for international travelers. You need to stay updated with the situation at their international destinations. The spread of new variants can swiftly change Covid-19 restrictions globally in no time.
For example, fully vaccinated travelers coming to the United States, including the citizens, should have a negative SARS-CoV-2 viral test result or proof of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding the flight.
International travelers should get a SARS-CoV-2 viral test three to five days regardless of vaccination status before traveling to the United States. The good thing is, fully vaccinated travelers don’t need to self-quarantine themselves.
Conclusion
Seychelles Medical Services is a haven for coronavirus testing for you. We’ll present you with the most accurate and reliable Covid-19 tests for international travel. You can rely on our internationally accredited laboratories updated with all the latest equipment. You just name your place, and we’ll be there to collect your swab sample.
Get top-notch service and fast test results at Seychelles Medical.
Frequesntly Asked Questions
Covid positive symptoms contain respiratory signs such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, Covid-19 infection can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, and even turn fatal.
Standard steps to protect yourself from the infection are:
- washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- frequent sanitizing hands with alcohol-based sanitizers
- wearing a mask
- avoiding crowded places and public gatherings
- maintaining social distancing
- avoiding touching your face or nose
- avoiding close contact with someone with fever and cough.
Whether or not infected people are exhibiting symptoms, they can spread the virus to other people.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads between people in various ways. For example, the virus can spread in small liquid particles from an infected person’s nose or mouth. It happens the infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings, or breathes. These liquid particles are either larger respiratory droplets or smaller aerosols.
Based on the evidence we have today, we can say that the virus spreads primarily via airborne droplets that are produced when people talk, exhale, cough, or sneeze. Hence, you can get COVID19 if you are in close contact with other people who come in close contact with each other. A person can get infected if he or she inhales the droplets containing the virus.
The virus can also spread in crowded indoor settings or poorly ventilated. It happens because aerosols stay in the air and can travel farther than 1 meter.
Laboratory data suggest that confirmed Covid-19 people are most infectious two days before they develop symptoms and in the initial stage of their illness. Also, the infection can last longer in people with severe diseases.
Some variants like COVID19, like the Delta strain, are more infectious. We need more research to understand how the virus mutates to prevent the spread.
Following multiple steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 can keep you and your loved ones safe. Take the following precautions to lower risks.
- Inquire about local guidance: Check what regional, local, and national health care authorities are recommending you, so you can be familiar with the most relevant information.
- Maintain social distancing: Keep your distance at least one meter away from others. Even asymptomatic people may have the virus even if they don’t appear to be sick.
- Always wear a mask: Put on a three-layer mask when you can’t physically distance yourself. Rinse your hands before wearing and removing a mask.
- Don’t go to crowded places, poorly ventilated locations, and don’t stay in contact with others for a prolonged time.
- Keep your windows wide open for good ventilation.
- Don’t touch surfaces in public areas or health care facilities. You never know people infected with COVID-19 may have touched them.
- Get fully vaccinated: Obey local guidance and recommendations by the public health department about vaccination.
If people stay in close contact for a long time, it increases the risk of transmission. Activities such as singing and breathing heavily during exercise can also increase the risk of transmission.
Follow the below “three C’s” to avoid settings where transmission of the COVID-19 can happen more quickly:
- Crowded places, 2. Close contact settings, and 3. Confined and enclosed spaces that have poor ventilation.
If you are COVID-19 positive, take protective steps so that you can prevent others from getting sick.
If you test negative, it doesn’t mean you don’t have the infection. Wait for the test result, if you don’t have COVID-19 after testing, still it’s preferable to take steps to protect yourself.