Two Kiwi Indians, a doctor and a nurse working at different stations located in Auckland shared their experience working on the front line, saying the community needs to their part by staying home and practising social distancing.
Kiwi Indian doctor, Vanshdeep Tangri from the Whanau Ora Community Clinic, has stationed himself and his team of at least 12 to 20 that includes security, doctors, nurses and admin staff testing people who approached their station with Covid-19 symptoms.
Stationed at 25 Druces Road in Wiri, Manukau since Saturday, April 4, Dr Tangri says he and his team test at least 50 people every day since last Saturday, as first they have to pass the security and then towards different stations for information, checkup and swab if needed at the end.
Dr Vanshdeep Tangri and his team in Wiri, Manukau
“We are seeing patients here, talking to them about symptoms, face-to-face while keeping a safe distance, seeing if they need testing and also following up with the results. We are also helping patients with non-Covid related symptoms, etc.,” Dr Tangri said.
The testing centre is divided into different sections; once a vehicle comes in they are spoken to, and their information is taken by one staff at the station. The information is taken in step one is their name, date of birth, address, family, travels, referrals or walk-ins etc. They are then sent to be seen by a doctor at Station 2 who assess them if they need testing or not.
“Not all who come to the station necessarily need the testing, but people who come in with normal flu-like symptoms are tested for Covid-19 at the station.,” Dr Tangri added.
Dr Vanshdeep Tangri's team at the Covid-19 Testing Station
The doctors then assess the patients, and if needed, they are sent to Station 3, where the nurses take swabs and note their details with any precautionary measures explained to them.
In a Live interview with Dr Tangri earlier this week, he showed around the testing station explaining the drill that they perform as a team at the Manukau testing station.
Once the consultation and testing are done, people exit the parking space and go back to their homes and if someone needs a health certificate from the doctor so that they can show that at their workplace (essential services).
Dr Vanshdeep Tangri at the Covid-19 Testing Station
Although Thursday, April 9, announced showed a significant drop in Covid-19 numbers, 29 new cases including confirmed and probable, Dr Tangri appealed the community to not be complacent with the figures and continue the social distancing protocol called by the government.
“Don’t let the number coming down make you take this easily; we still have a fair mile to go. It’s an encouraging sign, but we could be back to square one again if precaution is not taken,” Dr Tangri appealed to the community.
“We are putting our lives at stake by working, you do your part by staying home,” says nurse Chhaya Rana working on the frontline ‘Covid-19 Testing Station.’
Registered Nurse Chhaya Rana working with the Tongan Health Society in Auckland has dedicated two days this week at the Covid-19 testing station in South Auckland.
Explaining the drill at the testing station, Nurse Chhaya says the team is divided with different responsibilities. Although they work in close proximity, the team adheres to personal protection gear and maintain safe distance not just with the people dropping in but also with the team as well.
Nurse Chhaya Rana with her team at the Covid-19 Testing Station earlier this week
Nurse Chhaya’s daily routine, in the pre-Covid-19 era, had he to visit two schools in South Auckland where she would be screening school students with sore throats, allergies and other symptoms for Rheumatic fever and educating them the precautions to be taken.
Nurse Chhaya besides going to the testing stations and working an as significant part of the testing team that includes, admin staff, security, doctors and other nurses, goes out and about different suburbs in the city to give out food vouchers to families in need.
“Besides dedicating my time at the testing station, we have people who have registered for help with Tongan Health Society and its campaigns to help people in need through social media pages, my team and I go about their houses to screen what they need and offer them food vouchers for Pak’NSave depending on their needs and size of the family,” Nurse Chhaya told The Indian Weekender.
Nurse Chhaya Rana with her team at the Covid-19 Testing Station earlier this week
Out on the streets, essential worker Nurse Chhaya explains her fears as well as her pride being on the frontline taking risks and serving the community.
“I carry two pair of shoes for outdoor work, and when I come back home from work, I keep the shoes in the car, take a good shower and clean up before seeing my husband and daughter,” Nurse Chhaya said.
Nurse Chhaya appealed the community to be strong, patient and stay at home so prevent themselves and their families of getting compromised and attracting Covid-19 by any active or passive means.
Nurse Chhaya Rana at the Covid-19 Testing Station earlier this week
“Yes, working on the frontline, I am taking risks like the rest of the essential workers like the doctors, bus drivers, supermarkets workers etc. and it does have psychological effects, but it’s my job, and I have to hold my head high and do it with utmost integrity and honesty,” Nurse Chhaya said.
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