​I have always been obsessed with cleanliness and personal hygiene and have been using hand sanitiser as long as I can remember. With the arrival of the coronavirus, my obsession with hygiene just reached an all-time high as I'm always wearing my mask and use hand sanitiser nonstop. Literary every 30 minutes I'm wiping my desk, computer, cellphone, doorknobs, etc. 

With no high temperature or any other coronavirus symptoms, I went to test for Covid-19 following the news that an employee in the Private Office of the Executive Mayor had tested positive.

Arriving at the ground floor Reception Room at the Metro Centre, I was met by a friendly staff member who gave me hand sanitiser and checked my temperature. My anxiety was hitting the roof as I was escorted to the first table to undergo screening, where they checked the temperature again and questions were asked.

We then proceeded to the second table to complete a form with questions related to underlying health issues such as diabetes, HIV, tuberculosis, including questions about whether you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

This form is quite extensive as you have to add information about your home arrangements: whom you live with, age, contact details, address, and next of kin and if you have school-going children you need to provide the name of the school, among others.

Then I moved to the third table where I completed another form and received counselling and was advised to self-isolate until I receive my results. Information on the virus is provided in terms of pamphlets and brochures while the nurse advises you on the importance of ensuring that you stay at home. The nurse then takes one of the testing kit packages, opens it and inserts one of the forms that has a sticker with your names.

You are given your sealed testing kit and directed to a separate room where you wait for another nurse to perform the actual test. I went in and was told to sit on a chair behind the curtain and remove my mask. The test was administered and it literally took a minute. The actual test is very uncomfortable. The nurse inserted a longish white stick to reach the back of my mouth. I felt like I was going to vomit because the test has to be administered with my tongue out. Some droplets came out and I, fortunately, had tissues in my pocket to wipe them off.

Although it was uncomfortable, it was over within a minute. I'm just glad that the nurse who was testing me had her full protective clothing on. As I end this article, it has been two weeks since I received my results. I tested negative.

The writer asked us to withhold their name to avoid being stigmatised.