With more than a million deaths worldwide, all countries are seeking solutions to prevent the spread of the virus.
The arrival of rapid tests developed by the Abbott and Roche laboratory is triggering a real rush from all countries.
Even if they are generally less precise, these so-called antigenic tests, inexpensive, comparable to pregnancy tests and whose result is obtained in 15 minutes can be more than sufficient, especially during a peak of contagiousness, when it is crucial. to isolate positive cases.
They thus make it possible to multiply the volumes of tests in order to better detect the spread of the coronavirus.
In the midst of the campaign for his re-election, Donald Trump announced that 150 million of these rapid tests will be distributed in the United States, of which 50 million "will be used to protect the most vulnerable communities".
Historically black or Native American teachers, nursing homes and universities will be given priority, he promised.
WHO needs $ 600 million
At the same time, the World Health Organization and its partners have pledged 120 million tests for the poorest countries on the condition, however, that the money is found to acquire them.
“We have an agreement, we have a start of funding and now we need the full amount to be able to buy these tests,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
At a unit cost of $ 5, with a price that should drop as production increases, however, the UN organization would need $ 600 million to finance its pledge, while the Global Fund has already promised 50 million.
In France, while the deadlines are lengthening to be tested, laboratories are struggling to meet the strong demand, these rapid tests should arrive in early October according to a decree of September 16.
The High Authority of Health has validated the use of saliva and antigen tests, as well as their reimbursement.
The objective is to "relieve the medical biology laboratories of certain patients and improve the transmission times of the results of RT-PCR tests", explains the text.
Only tests with a minimum reliability of 80% will be allowed.
Indeed, this test does not look for the genetic material of the virus, but for a protein present in the HAS virus.
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Beyond the tests, more and more countries, particularly in Europe, are closing down.
The Czech Republic and Slovakia have announced their intention to declare a state of emergency to deal with the sharp upsurge in cases of contamination.
In the west of the continent, France and Spain are increasing the restrictions in an attempt to slow down this new wave of contaminations.
Madrid has introduced new restriction zones, while Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, in the south of France, have seen their bars and restaurants close since Sunday evening.
