Covid-19 saliva tests are planned to be used more often for screening and targeted screening of risk groups, such as children, doctors, social workers, logistics workers and shop staff, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control’s Infectious Disease Risk Analysis and Prevention Director of the Department Yuri Perevoshchikov.
The epidemiologist explained that other countries, such as Britain, are also considering such options. At present, however, this test is not yet available to all citizens. As a result, the usual smear test will remain the standard.
At the same time, Perevoshchikova emphasized that saliva tests allow a wider range of people to be examined, as sampling is simpler and more time-consuming.
In Kuldiga, where this test was tested for the first time, 1.1% of the saliva tests were positive. Similar testing is taking place in Daugavpils, where in cooperation with “E.Gulbis laboratory” it is planned to continue it.
At present, as Perevoschikov explains, it is still in the approbation stage, because a lot depends on logistics.
As reported, from Monday to Wednesday, residents of Kuldiga could voluntarily take free Covid-19 saliva tests, while on Saturday, saliva tests were introduced in Daugavpils.
Due to the spread of Covid-19, restrictions have been introduced in Kuldiga and Daugavpils until mid-October, including no more than 500 people at a time in indoor events, but no more than eight visitors can be at one table in public catering places, the Cabinet decided at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday.
–
