Antigen tests provide a quick result in 15 to 30 minutes. They are the ones who are deployed in pharmacies and airports. Until then, they could only be performed by doctors and state-certified nurses in the patient's office or home. These tests are free on presentation of your vital card until October 15, 2021. This measure is specified in a decree published in Official Journal October 17, 2020.
In view of the risk of insufficient availability of healthcare professionals authorized to carry out the tests, the practice of antigen tests has been opened up to pharmacists and pharmacy preparers. Pharmacy students can eventually strengthen their teams.
In the current context of strong epidemic recovery, antigen testing is an additional rapid tool to reduce chains of viral transmission. This diagnostic guidance complements RT-PCR testing, which remains the gold standard for detecting COVID-19 infection.
They are supported at 100% by Health Insurance until October 15, 2021. From that date, RT-PCR tests and antigen tests shall not will be more free for adults except for medical reasons.
FYI
The decree also authorized dental surgeons, midwives, medical electroradiology manipulators, childcare assistants, ambulance attendants and first-aid workers of an approved civil security association, holders of the teaching unit
level 1 first aid
.
Who are they for?
On the advice of the High Health Authority (HAS), antigen tests can be used to:
symptomatic persons, within the first 4 days after the onset of symptoms, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
age up to 65 years;
absence of co-morbidity, absence of risk of developing severe disease.
asymptomatic people (excluding
contact case
or persons detected within a cluster) as part of targeted group screenings, for example in the following locations:
higher education institutions;
airports, in particular for travelers coming from areas where the infection is actively circulating;
care facilities for dependent elderly people (Ehpad) for the benefit of staff;
penal institutions, etc.
Warning
These tests are not intended for contact persons, who should perform a RT-PCR test within the recommended timeframe.
How's it going?
Like RT-PCR tests, antigen tests consist of a nasal swab.
With a result available in 15 to 30 minutes, they allow for the immediate implementation of isolation and contact tracing measures.
The results
A written traceability document of the test result (whether positive or negative) is completed by the health care practitioner and given to the patient.
In case of negative antigen test: strict observance of the barrier gestures should continue. If symptoms consistent with COVID-19 appear, testing is required.
In case of a positive antigen test: the patient must isolate immediately. They should contact their treating physician to discuss health recommendations and list contacts. Then the Health Insurance contacts the patient to complete this list.
FYI
To alert and protect loved ones, people who test positive may report
positive case
in the AllAntiCovid app. To do this, she records a 6-character alphanumeric code or a QR code to scan transmitted by her doctor or the laboratory. An alert is then sent to all users who have been in close contact with it in the preceding days.
