In French Polynesia, a protocol of self-administered tests for travelers is being tested.
This has imposed itself on the authorities who are faced with a lack of staff among caregivers.
Already 20,000 tests have been carried out.
REPORTAGE
At Tahiti-Faaa airport, in French Polynesia, each arrival receives a small envelope.
Inside are two tests for the coronavirus, one for the nose and one for saliva.
"There is a cotton swab to put in the nose, then in a small specific tube. On the other hand, there is another cotton swab to put in the throat", explains Chantal, a tourist in Polynesia.
"It's not at all the same sample that is taken 72 hours before leaving. It takes a minute, it's wrapped in the envelope and it goes."
For her, this painless test is a guarantee of speed.
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Lack of nursing staff
This exceptional self-test protocol is explained in particular by the geographical fragmentation of the territory and by the lack of nursing staff.
The Polynesian Minister of Health, Jacques Raynal, reminds the microphone of Europe 1 that there is only one analysis laboratory for the whole of Polynesia: "In fact, this system worked well since we have analyzed , since we put it in place, over 20,000 tests. But we have only had about 20 positive results out of 20,000 tests. "
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After an evaluation of the self-test process, the authorities explain that they have devised a new procedure.
These would be self-tests carried out under the supervision of a health professional, and which would only concern the removal of throat funds.
The implementation of this device is currently under discussion in French Polynesia.
Since the start of the epidemic, the overseas collectivity has identified just over 1,200 cases and deplores two deaths.