As the Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic continues in France, the government wants to change its strategy. Indeed, it is now a question of carrying out large-scale screening tests. How is this going to be possible?
Not long ago, we mentioned the case of Germany, deploring far fewer deaths than its Italian, Spanish and French neighbors. The mortality rate of this country is rather flattering, namely only 0.5%. However, this is due to the fact that approximately half a million diagnoses are carried out in the laboratory every week!
As the daily newspaper Ouest-France explains in an article published on March 29, 2020, France has just placed a large test order screening. However, several questions remain. What are these tests? How do they work?
The test that France wishes to use is the one based on the PCR method . It is a molecular biology process capable of detecting the infectious agent of Covid-19 in a sample taken from a person. The test is performed using a kind of cotton swab (swab) that is inserted into the nostril to collect the deep nasal cells . Between three to six hours later, the verdict falls.
Until now, the test in question could only be performed by certain specialized laboratories. From now on, more establishments will be able to get started , i.e. other laboratories (genetics, medical biology, research, etc.). In addition, if a shortage of reagents and swabs has emerged, new suppliers should soon arrive on the market to ensure the supply.
According to the Minister of Health Olivier Véran,no less than 12,000 PCR tests were performed on the single day of March 28. This is twice the performance of each day of the past week (about 5,000 tests). The tests are subject to a medical prescription, but the Academy of Medicine is pushing for these to be carried out for any person suspected of being affected of the coronavirus.
The government has also ordered for faster testing. These are serological tests allowing the detection of two antibodies (IGM and IGG). However, the body generates these antibodies to fight against Covid-19. However, these appear between three and fifteen days after contamination. In other words, these tests still lack reliability if they are performed too early.
France wants to perform 100,000 tests per day by the end of June! On the evening of March 29, our country had 40,723 cases for 2,606 deaths. Finally, France ranks 5th among the countries most affected by the Covid-19 coronavirus.
