REPORTAGE
At present, France only succeeds in carrying out 10,000 "classic" tests of the Covid-19 per day. Their reduced number means that they are reserved for caregivers, hospital patients or people deemed fragile. The Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, assured that the testing capacity would soon be increased to reach 50,000 tests per day by the end of April. This ramp-up should mainly be based on new machines, bought by the State from China.
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XXL microwave oven
Ten pilot cities in France, including Dijon, Lyon and Strasbourg, have been designated to operate these new machines 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Poitiers CHU received its device on Saturday. "Currently, we restrict the screening of patients who have symptoms suggestive of Covid", deplores at the microphone of Europe 1 Nicolas Lévêque, head of the virology laboratory, and who welcomes the arrival of this new tool.
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With its dark facade and its bluish lights when it is switched on, the Chinese automaton looks like an XXL microwave oven. The machine alone can perform 2,000 tests per day, five times more than most devices available today. It should make it possible "to extend the criteria of screening" for the people having simply "a light cough" or "the runny nose", rejoices Nicolas Lévêque.
40,000 tests per day for the 20 CHUs equipped
With these new screening capabilities, results could be sent by SMS. A welcome possibility at the time of deconfinement since positive people will have to isolate themselves again.
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Ultimately, the twenty equipped CHUs will be able to carry out a total of 40,000 tests per day. It is planned to run the machines at full speed until at least the end of July. A resumption could take place next fall, in case the virus resurfaces.