Mantas from Vilnius said he wanted to investigate COVID-19 over the weekend, but he failed to do so.
“The quick tests showed us a positive result, even though we are fully vaccinated. But the point on V. Gerulaičio Street did not work, and according to the instructions of 1808.lt, when they went to the Santara Clinic point, everyone was asked to break up, because the places for the tests were over.
A city of half a million people, and there is no way to explore COVID-19 – an absurd situation. I don’t think people can take it seriously, if even testing can’t be organized, “Mantas was angry.
Test – after three days
According to him, after calling the hotline in 1808, he heard that there were no places in Vilnius or around him, he could not help them until Wednesday:
“I think a three-day interval for the next tests is unacceptable.”
When the link “Occupancy of Mobile Points” on page 1808.lt opened on Monday at noon, it can be seen that indeed a number of municipalities no longer have vacancies for the PCR test in the next few days.
There are vacancies in Klaipeda only on July 31. Palanga also has no vacancies this week.
When they went to the Santara Clinic point, everyone was asked to break up as the space for the tests ran out.
It is possible to test in Panevėžys on Thursday, and it is also available in Vilnius.
There was an increase in symptomatic symptoms
Adviser to the Minister of Health Arūnas Dulkis Aistė Šukšta 15min said that the situation regarding testing is really changing – finding vacancies is becoming quite difficult.
“For several reasons: one is the very fast growing number of symptomatic cases that make it necessary to register for a test. Secondly, additional groups have been introduced for which testing is mandatory. These people, not finding that place in their field, in the line, go through all the possible other lines, look for vacancies there, thus taking them from people who are experiencing symptoms.
Photo by Julius Kalinskas / 15min / Passenger COVID-19 testing services
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And yes, the situation is known to us, therefore everyone who felt the symptoms, both by phone in 1808 and by registering online, was informed and referred to the Center for Infectious Diseases in Santariškių str. weekend, could perform tests there “, – said A.Šukšta.
According to the minister’s adviser, the examinations in the Santara clinics were carried out without prior registration, so it was necessary to wait in line.
“People are testing, we can see the growing number of diseases as well, which is why, once again, we take the opportunity to get vaccinated. Testing does not protect against the disease, it protects against the vaccine, this was very clearly shown by the information released by the Department of Statistics on Friday.
According to her, 82 percent. the human vaccine protects against any, including symptomatic, form of the disease, 88 percent. protects against hospitalization and 89 percent. protects against death.
One is the very rapid increase in the number of symptomatic cases when it is desired to register for a test. Secondly, additional groups have been introduced for which testing is mandatory.
The vaccine is not a panacea, it does not protect 100%, it is natural, because the protection of immunity after the vaccine is formed depends on age, sex, co-morbidities, so to say that 100%. protects, we can’t.
However, more than 80 percent. protection is, I think, a significant indicator of why vaccination is needed. Then there will be no need to test, “a spokesperson for the Minister spoke about people who have mandatory preventive tests.
She also reminded that in terms of preventive testing and extended groups, it should not be forgotten that the new procedure came into force on Monday and within 7-10 days from this date, employees must submit their first certificate to the employer.
And then you will have to be tested regularly if you are not vaccinated or have not had COVID-19.
SAM nuotr./Aistė Šuksta
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“We see from the places for preventive testing that there are really enough of them, there are still at the end of this week. We met with the municipalities, asked for a slight increase in the number of testing places as much as possible.
The goal, however, is successful and smooth vaccination. The same people work in vaccination and testing centers, so we invite everyone to get vaccinated, ”said A.Šukšta.
Capacities are increasing, but they are lacking
Guoda Ropaitė-Beigė, Head of the Vilnius City Municipality Public Health Bureau, confirmed that the situation in Vilnius regarding testing is tense:
“All this has led to the emergence of additional groups that must be tested prophylactically every 7-10 days. It’s about testing with antigen tests.
There are also former groups that have had to test continuously. All of this led to a situation that was a huge challenge to get a place for those tests here and now. ”
We also have a large part of the team that is on holiday, so on Monday we are looking for human resources who can work to increase capacity.
However, she also emphasizes the same thing as the representative of the Ministry of Health (SAM) – vaccination is a priority.
“We also have a large part of the team that is on holiday, so on Monday we are looking for those human resources who could work to increase that capacity. It would be naive to expect that those capacities will increase several times. Vaccination is a priority, we encourage and encourage it, because the vaccine is the key to that good, easy and simple life, ”said G. Ropaitė-Beigė.
The same general practice nurses work at both the testing and vaccination points – they also perform their direct duties.
There are not enough of them to be able to discover so many additional resources at the moment that there are no more queues.
Photo by Lukas April / 15min / Goda Ropaitė-Beigė
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“It is not necessary to expect that you will get a place here and now as soon as you call, it will not be,” assured the head of the Vilnius Public Health Bureau.
G.Ropaitė-Beigė said that the number of people experiencing symptoms is increasing in Vilnius as well – previously there were places for the PCR test on the same day, but in the last few days employment has increased here as well.
“It is very important for a person who is experiencing symptoms to receive that service here and now. We would also like to inform you if a person is registered after a day or two, there is no place here and now, then we really invite you to come to the mobile point and we will try to serve him without a queue.
We have shared this message with the 1808 team that if a person calls with strong symptoms, we invite and encourage you to come in a queue. But we very much hope that people will understand and be aware that there will be no abuse. A person with symptoms is a priority, ”said G. Ropaitė-Beigė.
ZUMAPRESS / Scanpix nuotr./Koronaviruso testas
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After directing some people to Santara clinics over the weekend, representatives of Vilnius now say they will try to expand the scope of testing in the city.
From now on, employees working in international freight transport, public transport and passenger transport companies, as well as persons engaged in leisure and entertainment, cultural and artistic activities (organization of events and visitor service) need to be tested periodically.
The requirements will also affect the catering and retail sectors.
Employees of public administration entities, soldiers of professional military service and employees whose activities are related to the management of the mass influx of aliens, which has declared a state-level emergency (constant direct contact with these aliens), will also have to undergo periodic health examinations.
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