Medical Association asks for extensive testing in Corfu with rapid tests
Medical Association
18 Nov 2020
/ 14:19
CORFU. Mass testing instead of a general lockdown. The Association΄s decision comes from its consideration that a more accurate regional epidemiological evaluation would help response and lead to a relaxation of restrictive measures and opening of the local and tourist market.
Due to its concern about the epidemiological situation in Corfu the board of the Medical Association decided to take the initiative to encourage mass rapid testing of those living on the island. The Regional Authority is also in agreement but the final decision has to come from the Ministry of Health and EODY.
The decision was taken by the Corfu Medical Association board in order to prevent any unpleasant 'surprises' and comes from its consideration that a more accurate regional epidemiological evaluation would help response and lead to a relaxation of
According to initial calculations, the cost of the reagents for rapid tests would be no more than €10 per head. This would mean that if everyone in Corfu were tested - something which isn't called for - the total cost would be around €1m. So the proposal is that sample tests would be targetted at population groups with the greatest transmission.
The aim of mass testing would be mainly to find asymptomatic carriers and isolate them so that spreading of the virus can be controlled. This is the method used by Scandinavian countries, for example.
The Regional Administration has already accepted the Association's proposal and is willing to fund it with up to €50k. Implementation will be handled by Association members but a prerequisite is the approval of the Ministry of Health and EODY.
With Covid-19 rapid tests, following the collection of the respiratory sample, results are available within 10 to 30 minutes. The sample that is taken is either a nasal or nasopharyngeal swab.
The decision was taken by the Corfu Medical Association board in order to prevent any unpleasant 'surprises' and comes from its consideration that a more accurate regional epidemiological evaluation would help response and lead to a relaxation of
According to initial calculations, the cost of the reagents for rapid tests would be no more than €10 per head. This would mean that if everyone in Corfu were tested - something which isn't called for - the total cost would be around €1m. So the proposal is that sample tests would be targetted at population groups with the greatest transmission.
The aim of mass testing would be mainly to find asymptomatic carriers and isolate them so that spreading of the virus can be controlled. This is the method used by Scandinavian countries, for example.
The Regional Administration has already accepted the Association's proposal and is willing to fund it with up to €50k. Implementation will be handled by Association members but a prerequisite is the approval of the Ministry of Health and EODY.
With Covid-19 rapid tests, following the collection of the respiratory sample, results are available within 10 to 30 minutes. The sample that is taken is either a nasal or nasopharyngeal swab.
