Covid-19: tests will cost “a little more than one and a half billion euros” in January, according to Dussopt

Wide access to state-funded Covid-19 screening should cost "

", said Minister Delegate for Public Accounts Olivier Dussopt on Monday, under the effect of the Omicron wave.

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“

,” indicated the minister, questioned on the antenna of Sud Radio Monday. Started in December, the wave caused by the Omicron variant led to a rush in Covid-19 screenings, whether PCR tests, antigen tests or self-tests.

A large part of the Covid-19 screening tests are carried out free of charge, especially in the event of valid vaccination status.

They are then financed by social security and are subject to compensation by the State.

"

", also underlined the minister on Monday, specifying: "

”.

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Regarding the cost of vaccination last year, Olivier Dussopt said on Monday that the bill had represented "

", and that it would cost "

", suggesting that it could be lower than the amount spent in 2021. The cost of the health bill "

" estimated the minister, who affirmed the day before in the columns of the Journal Sunday that France's public deficit would ultimately be "

" of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021, while the government was still counting on 8.2% last year.