La Manzanilla Message Board Archives

La Manzanilla Message Board Archives

Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by david dagoli on January 19, 2021, 10:39 am

From FB Costalegre Amigos:

'Apparently Beny gave Antigen tests but wrote PCR tests on the paperwork and that’s how the Canadians have been getting home. It was a mix up on her end.
She can’t do the PCR test for us Canadians.'

WestJet and others had accepted some of these antigen tests but now things have changed.

From Beny:

I think i finally found a laboratory with the best option, it is in Puerto Vallarta, but I already send us today the material for sampling, will be 2 shots for each person (nose and throat), will be taken from 7 am to 8 am (we open normal at 8 am, but we will be opening daily from 7 to 8 am only to take from “COVID pcr molecular “porq the ice box will be sent by bus to p, Vallarta and this leaves at 10 am, arrive in Vallarta approx 3 or 4 pm, laboratory staff pick up the ice box and enter the process the next day 8 am, results approx 5 or 6 pm the same day and will be sent to us by e mail, we will stay to work in the night to send each one the same results by e mail and we will notify you to review your data: name (same as your plane ticket), date of birth and age, to have time to make some correction of data if necessary. And we would be in time for you to go to p Vallarta with the report as requested by the gob of Canada and now also the US, I would appreciate if you support me with the English translation of this, I was going to write it on the different pages and groups but it is a little difficult for me the exact translation

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Guillermo Garcia on January 19, 2021, 1:45 pm, in reply to "Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

Basically what we need to know is that there are two tests for COVID 19. One is the antigen tests done but polymerase chain reaction, taken from a sample in the posterior pharynx. If positive will indicate an active status, either as a carrier or ongoing infection.
The other test measures antibody titers, is done through a blood sample. If the IgM is positive it means recent infection within 2 weeks usually, but very early. If the IgG is positive only, it means active protection. If any of those blood test are positive the antigen PCR test still could be positive indicating that the patient can transmit the disease.
The PCR antigen test from the oropharynx is very specific but unfortunately the sensitivity is around 50%. The blood(antibody test) has much better sensitivity and specificity, but it does not tell you if you have the active virus in your respiratory tract.
Because of the complexity of the PCR test, the local labs only do the antibody titers.
I am not aware of any local labs that do the PCR testing(again only 50% sensitivity).
Cheers, we are on this side of the border!

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Which test is best for COVID-19?

Posted by Daniel H on January 21, 2021, 11:48 am, in reply to "Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

Guillermo sent me this

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/which-test-is-best-for-covid-19-2020081020734

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Re: Which test is best for COVID-19?

Posted by Daniel H on January 21, 2021, 11:50 am, in reply to "Which test is best for COVID-19?"

The problem with instructions is that they are written by people who already know the information, they tend to LEAVE OUT information needed by those who don't know anything.

The opposite is also true, COVID information is written by people who already know the information, they tend to INCLUDE more information than needed by those who don't know anything.

This is probably the clearest explanation to date (thank you Guillermo) but even it has more information than the average person needs. For example

What about accuracy? - average person does not need to know about false negatives and positives, accuracy could just be one number like Molecular tests are 90% accurate and Antigen tests are 60% accurate.

What does the test look for? - This could be eliminated, the test looks for COVID 19, period.

--

The true accuracy of tests for COVID-19 is uncertain

This section is a bit un nerving

Onward through the fog.

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Re: Which test is best for COVID-19?

Posted by Daniel H on January 21, 2021, 12:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Which test is best for COVID-19?"

The author has simplified the terminology for several test into the word Molecular and only has three names, Molecular, Antigen and Antibody.

This could be simplified (simpler the better)
Molecular = Lab test and Antigen = quick test, these are words people already know.

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PLEASE, all you!

Posted by Judd & Laura on January 22, 2021, 4:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Which test is best for COVID-19?"

So, like many LM/Melaque winter people, we are debating whether to cancel our trip for Feb....the price of 3500 pesos is $175 U.S., muy caro! Daniel's thread here shows a Harvard article link, w/a home nasal/throat antigen test w/o prescription. Cool. But is it crazy to imagine bringing such test w/us to LM, using it 3 days before departure to U.S., sending it express to States, then receiving results via their e-mail system, assuming negative results-- all this to print for departure on Volaris from Guadalajara-Portland? Whew.

Crazy strategy?? What do you thinkers out there say?

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Red alerts???!!!

Posted by Judd & Laura on January 22, 2021, 6:10 pm, in reply to "Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

Are red alerts for real in LM & Melaque?? ATV cops policing the beach for interlopers??

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Re: Red alerts???!!!

Posted by david dagoli on January 22, 2021, 8:05 pm, in reply to "Red alerts???!!!"

We were just talking about this today with some folks and we were all remarking how there seems to be no restrictions at all here in La Manzanilla.

As far as testing - if you’re returning to the U.S. you can get the antigen test in Melaque for 1,000 pesos.

President Biden announced a mandatory quarantine for arrivals today, but I don’t think they have said for how long.

https://ca.travelpulse.com/news/impacting-travel/biden-brings-in-mandatory-quarantine-for-visitors-another-blow-for-canadian-airlines.html

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Antigen tests in Melaque

Posted by Judd & Laura-- for David Dago on January 23, 2021, 6:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Red alerts???!!!"

David-- We appreciate your response. It's been challenging to get accurate info on the tests available there. We're debating about canceling our trip from Portland in 10 days-- if the test is ONLY available for 3500 pesos (!! Rip-off!!)...PLEASE, if you can affirm it's 1000 pesos, we'll take it, not cancel. Thanks for your communiques! Judd & Laura

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Re: Antigen tests in Melaque

Posted by david dagoli on January 23, 2021, 9:23 pm, in reply to "Antigen tests in Melaque"

The most current message I saw said the antigen test at the lab in Melaque is 1,000 pesos.

Currently, the U.S. allows a negative antigen test to get on an airplane bound for the U.S.

However, things are changing daily now. President Biden is moving fast to slow down the spread of infection. For instance, he just signed legislation that will force international arrivals to quarantine - it takes effect January 26. There is also talk that they may require the more expensive PCR test which seems to be standard for the rest of the world.

My advice: best if you keep yourself abreast of changes, especially in the next week or so.

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Kathleen on January 24, 2021, 8:38 am, in reply to "Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

That's really tight timing. We have to test Wed at 8am. Samples arrive PV in late afternoon but not processed until Thurs. Results to Beny Thurs at 5 or 6pm. Email results to us HOPEFULLY Thurs night. We have to leave for PV Fri morning for 4pm flight. That is 56 hours. If we test Tues it would be 80 hours which is not within the 72 hour deadline.
If all goes well it will work but... Things happen!

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Daniel H on January 24, 2021, 9:52 am, in reply to "Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

That is tight. I wonder if the time/date is when they took the sample or when the test results were published? The latter would add several hours.

Also (been years since I traveled) are there printing services in the airport? If not it would be a good service to start considering the number of people who ask me to print out their boarding passes and now add the testing results needed.

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Rob L on January 31, 2021, 9:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

For Canada, the clock starts when the PCR swab is......swabbed at the back of the throat and placed in the collection tube.
The test results indicate what is happening at that point in time for the individual, and is the the reference point for the 72 hours.
Therefore, no hours can be added for convenience, making it a tight timeframe for travel, unfortunately.

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Start Time for Test Results at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Sharin A on January 24, 2021, 12:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

According to this handout that a friend got at Beny's Lab in Melaque, the 72-hour window begins the day after the test. This seems logical as one is neither positive nor negative until the test is processed and you have the results. However, nothing is logical about all of this!

ver hosting

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All who need testing

Posted by Judd & Laura on January 24, 2021, 12:33 pm, in reply to "Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

We still are unclear about Beny's testing process-- it seems from what she wrote that it's a PCR test, not antigen. Fine. But what's the cost-- is it confirmed by anyone who truly knows whether it's 3500 pesos, or 1,000 pesos?? Please, who knows this?

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Re: All who need testing

Posted by david dagoli on January 24, 2021, 1:14 pm, in reply to "All who need testing"

The tests in Melaque are: Antigen- 1,000 pesos, PCR- 3,500 pesos.

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Re: All who need testing

Posted by Catie on January 25, 2021, 2:16 pm, in reply to "Re: All who need testing"

Thanks, David! I assume if you only need the antigen you don’t have to be at Beny’s during the 7-8 timeframe?

Also, we contacted the airport in ZLO and they said testing won’t start there for two weeks.

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Re: All who need testing

Posted by Daniel H on January 24, 2021, 1:52 pm, in reply to "All who need testing"

There are basically two test, a short test (results in less than 1/2 hour) and a long test (results the next day)

USA requires the short test (Antigen) $1,000 pesos

Canada requires the long test (PCR) $3,500 pesos.

If you can get tested at the airport as discussed in the thread below then it is the short test.

https://members5.boardhost.com/lamanzanilla/msg/1611513934.html

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Kathleen on January 26, 2021, 5:37 pm, in reply to "Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

Nice hope Sharin that the 72 hours would be from time of processing the test. It is unfortunately from the time of administering the test - which is really tight for PV afternoon flights. See Transport Canada link. https://tc.canada.ca/en/initiatives/covid-19-measures-updates-guidance-issued-transport-canada/covid-19-pre-departure-testing-transport-canada-interim-order#toc1

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by James F on January 26, 2021, 6:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

Of course you can always spend a night or two in PV and take the test there and you shouldn't have a timing problem. Now, if the test comes back positive then I guess all bets are off and you're stuck in PV.

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Evelyn on January 26, 2021, 8:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

Or, you could always just stay home, which is what is recommended by the Canadian Gov’t......maybe that ‘s why our numbers are not as high as the US......

Honestly, at this stage in the pandemic, if everyone would just do as they should, collectively do the right community thing, stay home, we might just get this thing contained. Once again, just sayin. And if you think that sounds too harsh and you don’t want to have to abide by the rules, imagine what it’s been like for me, a 37 year veteran of spending the winter in La Manz, owning a home there, missing and worrying about my friends and families there.......I want nothing more than to see this terrible virus put to bed so that I can once again go to my winter home with everyone I know and love there, still there. Small sacrifice.

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Daniel H on January 26, 2021, 9:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

I hear you Evelyn, I can imagine.
Hang in there this too shall pass,
the sun is there behind the clouds
and clouds don't last long.

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Evelyn on January 26, 2021, 11:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

Daniel, not sure if you are trying to tell me something with Brad’s bleeding heart number, but I must say it made me laugh, so that’s a good thing. And staying home this winter has not been so horrible, it’s been a novel experience being here after so many years away, not that I needed it. On the gorgeous, sunny, blue sky days I’m reminded of how beautiful it is where I live, Victoria, BC, much colder than there but one just learns to dress for it. And we are ultimately so very lucky to live here with much less Covid than elsewhere in Canada, for now anyway. But it’s all relative isn’t it, and we are all sick to death of hearing nothing but Covid, Covid, Covid, and being so restricted in our daily lives. As I’ve said before, if everyone would just use common sense we could get through this much sooner. I am glad I won’t have to navigate the whole Covid test thing to get back home in the spring. Good luck with that!

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Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque

Posted by Kathleen on January 31, 2021, 2:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Testing at Beny's Lab in Melaque"

Does anyone know if testing and processing in both Melaque and Puerto Vallarta continue through the weekend? Does Beny's lab test on Sun morning and ship the specimen to PV on Sun afternoon for results Mon night? We're looking at a Tues afternoon flight so can't test on Sat.

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