Who should be tested, where does it happen and how much does it cost?

In the shadow of the growing confusion and resentment among all those who are forced to perform corona tests, and in light of the Prime Minister's promise that soon the rapid antigen tests that every family in Israel will spend hundreds of shekels on this month, we set out to sort out the latest tests and prices.

I have Seville

09/01/2022

Sunday, 09 January 2022, 11:35 Updated: 15:29

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The change in public guidelines regarding Corona tests has not only confused us, but also caused resentment: The average family with children in Israel, who want to drive legally and meet all the new testing regulations for the mornings, will have to part with a few hundred shekels by the end of January.

So when can a quick antigen test be enough, where can it be purchased and at what prices - and when must a PCR test be done?

When is the test paid for and when will we be required to pay for it - and of course, how much?

The answers are often more confusing than the questions, which is why what is true today will not necessarily be valid tomorrow, and yet, in light of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's statement about the imminent reduction of rapid tests, we tried to map the market and make some order, requirements and prices.

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What exactly are you looking for in a corona test?

Corona tests look for corona viruses (or rather their genetic material) in the mouth and nose. This is how it is found out if the person is sick with corona, with or without symptoms. Patients and patients who received a positive result are considered verified (sometimes also called active patients). There are also blood tests that can know the concentration of antibodies to the corona, such as a serological test.

1. PCR test - is primarily intended for the diagnosis of active patients. Beyond that, it is used

to

the isolation period, to fly abroad or to those entering Israel and other needs

.

Have been vaccinated or recovered (for 24 hours after the test).

This "fast antigen" test has a home version for self-use, which is marketed in pharma and pharmacy chains (and now also in marketing chains) but has no official validity and their results are not reported to the Ministry of Health and / or the patient's health funds.

However, according to the guidelines, if you get a positive result for a quick home test, you should immediately go into isolation and perform a quick antigen test (institutional) or PCR test using only check and drive (drive in) with the vehicle with its windows closed and as soon as possible to verify the result.

There is also a serological test - a blood test to detect antibodies to the corona virus (as opposed to corona tests, which are designed to detect the viruses themselves).

If you have not been vaccinated, a positive answer to a serological test indicates that there are antibodies in your body that may indicate that you have a corona disease that has healed.

The test is not intended to verify corona, to corona patients who have symptoms, to those who have already been defined as recovering or to those who have already been vaccinated.

The serological examination is performed at the health funds according to the decision of the medical staff, or at the entrance to Israel, according to the policy of the Ministry of Health on the subject.

Anyone who feels symptoms or is exposed to a verified patient - will be referred for a home antigen test (quick) (Photo: ShutterStock)

How is a corona test done?

PCR tests - Insert a sterile stick (a stick with a cotton ball at the end, like an ear cleaner, only longer) into the oral cavity and / or nostril. Collecting the sample takes only a few seconds and is not particularly painful, even if the sensation is not pleasant, especially on examination of the nose.

In a PCR test, the sample is transferred to a laboratory, and the result is obtained 48 hours after the test (there may be delays due to overload in the laboratories). The result is obtained through the HMO, and can be viewed on the HMO's website and app or received at its call center. There are labs that promise a quick answer to a PCR test. In the meantime, if you did a PCR test because you experienced symptoms or because you were exposed to a verified patient - you should stay in isolation until you get the answer.

Rapid antigen test - This is also done by inserting a sterile pen into the oral cavity and / or the nostril. The rapid test does not require a laboratory and therefore allows a result to be obtained within about 15 to 30 minutes, at the place where the test was performed. Usually the result will also be sent in a mobile message. If the test result is positive it still does not mean that there is confirmation that you have been in Corona. In this case, enter the isolation and perform a PCR test within 48 hours (and in any case remain in isolation until the result is obtained, even if no symptoms are felt).

Results of a rapid test performed at one of the authorized stations, as well as results of a PCR test performed at a health fund or at the Home Front Command compound, will automatically reach the Ministry of Health. Please note: it may take them up to 24 hours to update on Ministry of Health systems.

A quick home antigen test - is done in a similar way by a stick with self-use and without a sample. Instructions for performing the test are attached to the purchased case.

Serological test - is a blood test performed using a blood sample to detect antibodies to the corona virus, and as mentioned, this test is not intended to detect active patients, shorten the isolation days, those who are exposed to a verified patient, those who have symptoms or those who tested positive.

The purpose of this test is to detect existing antibodies in the body due to previous exposure that is not active at the time of the test.

Are corona tests performed by a marker to take a sample from the nose or oral cavity? (Photo: ShutterStock)

PCR test

As of last Friday, 7.1.22, they have started a priority policy for PCR tests and the Home Front Command will only perform them for those aged 60 and over and at-risk populations but we have received quite a few reports of people not belonging to these groups approaching PCRs without difficulty.

The decision on the layout of the complexes varies depending on the assessment of the disease status, so it is important to be updated on the location of the complexes and the hours of operation before leaving for the inspection.

Some of the complexes operate in a "check and drive" format (drive in) and can only be reached with a vehicle to perform the test (the vehicle must have closed windows) Some of the complexes must be reached on foot.

Extra long queues for corona tests (Photo: Reuven Castro)

PCR testing is done in four main cases:

: fever of 38 degrees or more, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of sense of taste or smell, muscle weakness, sore throat, any other symptom that appeared sharply and raises fear of viral disease

- If one of the members of the household was found to be a verified patient. If an epidemiological investigation determines that you must be examined, usually because of exposure to a verified patient.

The test should be done as close as possible to the moment you learned about the exposure to a verified patient.

Before traveling abroad (to countries that require such an examination) or entering Israel

.

MDA representative demonstrates how the test is performed (Photo: jpost, jpost)

PCR tests are performed according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health at the HMOs (no referral is needed, sometimes you need to make an appointment, you should check your HMO website) and at the Home Front Command complexes (without the need for a queue or referral).

Information on the HMOs 'testing complexes can be found on the HMOs' websites.

. For information on Home Front Command complexes https://www.oref.org.il/12610-17882-en/Pakar.aspx

A quick PCR test involves a fee and is performed at licensed stations throughout the country - for adults and children over the age of 12 and 3 months -

Payment will be made on the spot. Girls and boys from 3 to 12 and 3 months - free of charge. Vaccine engines - free of charge.

operates testing complexes in Good Pharm branches in city centers for

as well as drive-in complexes in Big centers, where the price is

- a chain that performs PCR tests with results that are obtained up to 24 hours in a spread of 33 branches, without prior coordination,

for Lifestyle credit card holders.

For an updated list of branches and hours of operation: https://shop.super-pharm.co.il/covid19/tests

- Corona PCR tests are performed at 15 selected branches throughout the country.

Prices:

for Shufersal Club members (for purchases over NIS 100) or

those paying with a Shufersal credit card.

The results of the institutional antigen tests, reported to the Ministry of Health and the HMOs (Photo: Reuters)

Rapid antigen test

When is a quick test done and where is it valid?

Children and adults who have not been vaccinated and have not recovered do a quick check-up mainly to enter places that follow the green mark guidelines, for the 24 hours after the check-up.

To do this, the test must be done at one of the authorized stations.

If the quick check was done at the entrance to one of the places operating according to the green sign guidelines (and not at the authorized stations), a negative result would allow entry to that place only.

It will not allow the production of a daily green label for entry to other locations.

This is because the systems of private tests do not send their results to the Ministry of Health.

Recently, most of us are sent for this type of test due to increasing loads and demands for PCR tests and the government decision is to prioritize the eligible ones, so if you are not 60 years old and not affiliated with risk groups, you are likely to be referred for this test.

Those who are positive about a home examination will only be examined (institutionally) by the "examine and travel" complexes (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Speed ​​checks are performed

at licensed stations spread across the country and at entrances to places that operate according to the Green Label guidelines. Before arriving for an inspection, it is advisable to find out at the stations' sites whether an appointment must be made in advance. For MDA stations, it is recommended to make an

. And in Drive there is no need to book an appointment in advance. Among other things, test stations are operated in Good Pharm branches in the city centers for NIS 49, as well as drive-in complexes in the Big centers, where the price is NIS 59.

Sofia's tests are suitable for all uses such as flying abroad, leaving isolation, green mark, Ministry of Education, also identify Omicron and are performed with the approval of the Ministry of Health. United States, Italy, UK, France and any destination that will allow entry in the future with an antigen test.For more information and choosing a place close to home on foot or drive - no, go to the following link and fill out details, including passport details in English for pilots: https://sofiagroup.co. il

"We were well prepared for the new guidelines and the worrying wave of omicrons and everything runs smoothly, with very reasonable waiting time and extremely short queues."

Super Pharm - Performs rapid antigen tests with a result within 20 minutes using samples reported to the Ministry of Health, without prior coordination, at 47 branches.

, and in some of the test sites it is free as part of the state tender for those eligible (in collaboration with Ichlov Wall). This is in addition to children aged 3-12 who are eligible for a free examination in favor of receiving a green card. In 33 branches, an antigen test can be performed with an English certificate recognized by the authorities in favor of a flight to the United States (up to one day before the flight). For an updated list of branches and hours of operation: https://shop.super-pharm.co.il/covid19 / rapid-covid-test

- quick antigen tests for the purpose of receiving a green mark in 15 selected branches around the country Prices:

for Shufersal Club members (for purchases over NIS 100)

A quick antigen test for home use, accessible, but not subsidized, inaccurate and unofficial (Photo: ShutterStock)

Rapid antigen testing for home use

Leumit

announced the reduction in the prices of the quick tests: the cost of a set of 4 tests - will cost NIS 60 (NIS 15 per test) and the cost of a set of 10 tests - NIS 130 (NIS 13 per test).

-

: "There is no doubt that the demand for tests has increased significantly in light of the increase in morbidity. Currently, there are spot deficiencies that are expected to renew towards noon and evening. In order to continue to give our customers a quick and quality response. "

Pack of 20 ORIENT GENE tests - Price: NIS 149.90 (NIS 7.5 for a single test as part of a package)

Pack of 5 BD tests - Price: NIS 79.90 Sale (NIS 16 for a single test as part of the package)

Pack of 4 Panbio tests - NIS 79.90 (NIS 20 for a single test as part The case)

Pack of 3 ISI tests - price NIS 74.90 Sale (25 for a single test in the package)

Pack of a pair of Rhenium Medical tests - Price: 54.90 (27.45 for a single test in the package)

Single test Panbio Price: NIS 34.90 (Sale: the second at 50%)

: "There is stock in all branches, online and through the

WOLT delivery app, we deal with record demand for home corona tests"

. 4 pcs - NIS 77.9

ORIENT GENE - Home Corona test case 5 units - NIS 79.9

Acotest - Test acoustic missile test 1 pcs - NIS 29.9

Acotest test - Acotest missile test package NIS 20 - 299 (online only)

Acotest test - Acotest missile test case NIS 5 - 125

ORIENT GENE - Home corona test Pack of 10 units - NIS 159.9

Soon, subsidized testing?

Due to growing resentment from many citizens about the cost of the quick tests and the understanding that an average Israeli family of five (a couple of parents and three children) may be required to spend hundreds of shekels until the fifth wave passes, the prime minister announced that tests will soon be significantly reduced.

"The market will be flooded with millions of tests," he said.

• Of money

• consumption

Tags

• Corona

• Serological tests

• Corona test

• Home corona test

• Antigen test

• HFC

• Ministry of Health