The Grand Est region will acquire three million serological tests of Covid-19 to be able to test more than half of its population in the second half of May, we learned Thursday from the regional council. Serological tests are those which aim to detect immunization to Covid-19 by the presence of antibodies by means of a blood test. They differ from “PCR” tests by nasal swab which determine if a person is carrying the virus.
The mixed economy company Dynamise, majority owned by the regional council, validated Thursday evening the launch of a call for tenders for the acquisition of these tests "from laboratories whose products will have been approved" by the national centers standard (CNR) of respiratory infection viruses, said the entourage of the president (LR) of the region Jean Rottner.
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This consultation will take place until mid-May, which will leave it open to candidates whose products would be approved by then, it was said from the same source. The deployment of tests can then take place in the second half of May, added the entourage of Jean Rottner. The Grand Est would thus be able to test more than half of its population of 5.5 million inhabitants.
Dynamise was set up on April 9 for "the wholesale purchase of materials intended to respond to the health crisis, and in particular Covid-19 blood test kits" , and for their "resale and redistribution in the region (from) public and private actors ” , according to its presentation document. This mixed economy company has an investment capacity of 15 million euros, contributed equally by its three shareholders, the Grand Est Regional Council, the Banque des Territoires (Caisse des Dépôts) and the Credit Bank. mutual.
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It "anticipates the post-Covid 19" , had commented Jean Rottner at its creation. According to its presentation document, Dynamise "will secure access to a massive enough volume of serological tests to meet the needs of the population of the Grand Est and will ensure a fair distribution" on the regional territory.
