Like RT-PCR tests, antigen tests are done with a swab in the nose.

-

OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP

The Ministry of Health paved the way on Monday for a wider deployment of antigenic tests, which are faster than virological RT-PCR tests.

It was a promise from Emmanuel Macron during his television interview on Wednesday evening: the head of state had promised a new "strategy" to "drastically reduce delays".

Until now, antigenic tests were only allowed in the context of collective screening operations, people with symptoms were excluded, and their result had to be confirmed by an RT-PCR test.

According to a decree published on Saturday in

the Official Journal

, they can now be carried out in an “individual screening situation” by doctors, pharmacists or nurses.

Conditions to be fulfilled

They can be performed on "asymptomatic people, outside contact persons or people detected within a cluster" or on "symptomatic people", but only if an RT-PCR test cannot be obtained before 48 hours and if the test antigenic takes place less than four days after the first symptoms.

In addition, in the event of symptoms, you must be under the age of 65 and not be at risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19.

The High Authority for Health (HAS) had stressed that in the event of a positive antigen test, it was very likely that the patient was indeed a carrier of the new coronavirus, but that in the event of a negative test, there was a small probability of passing next to infection, which is more of a consequence for patients at risk of developing a severe form of the disease.

In addition, "large-scale screening operations within targeted populations may be authorized" by the prefect, according to the decree.

In another decree, the ministry gives the green light for reimbursement of the act for authorized tests, the list of which is published on its site.

Health

Coronavirus in Montpellier: “Antigenic tests are great!

", but why ?

Health

Coronavirus: Saliva, antigen, PCR ... What are the types of tests and what are they used for?

  • Health

  • Covid 19

  • Coronavirus

  • Video