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Change of strategy. If you have a cough, fever and respiratory failure, you should know that the Community of Madrid will no longer carry out the coronavirus diagnostic test (PCR) for those with mild symptoms, which account for 60% of the total . Now a "clinical diagnosis" will be made through primary telephone care or, if necessary, at home. It is about these patients remaining isolated in their homes.

This was explained yesterday at a press conference by Enrique Ruiz Escudero, the Health Minister of the Community of Madrid, who also clarified that it was also done in China and "had a good result." In other words, if this were your case and you live in the Community of Madrid, the first thing you should do is call the coronavirus service number (900 102 112).

To reinforce this service, another of the 200 measures taken within the action plan presented by Escudero yesterday, involves doubling the staff that handles these cases of suspected contagion . A total of 400 people will be from this Friday on the other end of the phone. This line has already received nearly 30,000 calls. On the last day posted, it reached 6,789.

It will be these personnel who offer the necessary information and will refer the cases that require it to 112, who will mobilize the appropriate health resources according to the symptoms and the condition of the patient.

This decision is in accordance with the new update of the protocol for action against the coronavirus of the Ministry of Health. According to this document, in the areas in which community transmission has been established, it will not be necessary to carry out laboratory diagnosis in cases of mild respiratory infection, especially in home care.

Currently classified areas with evidence of community transmission include: Iran, Singapore, Japan (Hokkaid Island), South Korea, China (all provinces including Hong Kong and Macao), Germany (Heinsberg department), France (departments from Haut-Rhin and l'Oise), Italy and Spain, in the Autonomous Communities of Madrid and La Rioja; the municipalities of La Bastida and Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country) and Miranda de Ebro (Castilla y León)

This means that anyone in these communities that presents a clinical picture compatible with respiratory infection (sudden onset of any of the following symptoms: cough, fever, dyspnea) of any severity must follow established protocols. It is not about going, yes or yes, to a health center . If the symptoms are mild, it is recommended to remain isolated at home and call the coronavirus helpline, pending the pertinent indications. And of course, keep the hygiene recommendations to avoid transmitting the infection to your contacts.

The idea is to do an exercise of responsibility and avoid collapsing health centers. In transmission areas, it is understood that the diagnosis is very likely to be positive and since 80% present with mild symptoms , it is not considered necessary to carry out the diagnostic test. In this way, the health services are discharged and can better treat serious cases that require hospitalization. In Madrid, it is estimated that these patients account for 30%, with 10% needing intensive care. The goal is to have more than a thousand free beds in this unit.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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