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The holiday season begins, and with it family meetings – numerous and in large numbers. Poles are torn – they want to see their loved ones, and at the same time they are afraid of a potential infection or contamination of someone with the coronavirus. No wonder that in the face of such a situation, they are increasingly testing themselves for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Preferably at home, using home antigen tests, which are now sold on the trunk in stores and pharmacies.
- The increase in infections and the number of deaths from COVID-19 has resulted in an increased interest in testing for infection
- According to the data we have obtained, both pharmacies as well as stationary and online stores offering home antigen tests have recorded a significant increase in sales of home antigen tests in recent weeks.
- There is also an increased interest in testing by the Ministry of Health, which publishes data on the number of RT-PCR tests performed – in December it usually fluctuates around 100. daily smears
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), the standard in COVID-19 diagnostics is RT-PCR, i.e. a test that identifies the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Its greatest advantage is the detection of infection in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
As an alternative, antigen tests are used to identify the coronavirus protein antigen. However, they are only applicable to patients who already experience symptoms of infection, as its sensitivity is lower than the RT-PCR test. The active phase of infection is the large number of virus copies in the sample, making it possible to detect infection. For both types of tests, a sample is taken from the nasopharynx.
Home tests for COVID-19
It is the latter type of test for the presence of coronavirus in the body that patients can purchase and perform at home. It is very simple and all the necessary accessories are included in the set. The test consists in taking a smear from the nasopharynx, transferring the sample to a special card, adding a few drops of the solvent and waiting a few or several minutes for the result. The price of one test is several dozen zlotys.
The simplicity of implementation is the greatest advantage of home antigen tests. Many people buy them regularly so that in case of doubts (disturbing symptoms) they can have a test and rule out coronavirus infection. This is especially important when we are going to a family or social gathering where we will have contact with more people, including those at high risk of severe COVID-19, such as seniors, but also with the unvaccinated, including children who are increasingly suffer from SARS-CoV-2 infection symptomatically and require hospitalization. A positive result of such a test also gives a chance to stop the spread of the virus, which realistically reduces the number of infections.
- Also read: Holidays in the fourth wave and with the “rampant” Omicron. What’s the worst we can do? The expert observes
The drug has also recently mentioned the need to protect relatives from infection on its profile. Bartosz Fiałek:
Poles are more and more aware of this and, in the spirit of social responsibility, they invest in home antigen tests to protect their relatives from potential infection. This is evident from the interest in these products in stores and pharmacies.
Ania, who recently went to the pharmacy for such a test, was surprised by the problem with their availability. – We fell ill with the whole family. Typically “coronavirus” symptoms – runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, terrible headache and breakdown. Since we were going to visit my parents for the weekend, I ran to the pharmacy for tests. The pharmacist disappeared in the back room, then returned a few minutes later with only one test, saying it was the last one and that I’m lucky it is there at all. It turned out that a lot of people come for them every day and the pharmacy actually has to place a new order in the warehouse every other day – he says.
The test did not confirm infection in any of Ania’s family, but they stayed at home anyway, so as not to expose others to any infection.
- See also: Should I get the third dose if I have antibodies?
The fact that patients are increasingly asking for antigen tests for their own use is confirmed by Agata Serwin, purchasing director of Ziko Apteka.
– From mid-November, from week to week, we observe a significant increase in the interest in tests among patients. There are several types of them available, so that patients can choose the appropriate test depending on their individual preferences. Last week was the highest volume of sales since the beginning of the year and almost a twofold increase in the number of purchased tests compared to the last week of November. This is probably related, on the one hand, to their advantages – simplicity and speed of execution, and on the other, to the growing awareness of patients who decide to perform the test not only to diagnose the disease in the presence of ailments, but also prophylactically, before a planned meeting with relatives, e.g. . parents or grandparents – he explains.
This trend is perfectly demonstrated by the data of the website WherePoLek.pl. The increase in interest in the products coincided with the beginning of the fourth wave of the pandemic, and their popularity in November was record-breaking. Within a month, daily sales of tests detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection increased almost threefoldand patients keep asking about them in pharmacies.
As Bartłomiej Owczarek points out, new tests entering pharmacies regularly appear on the website. – Their availability, however, is still not high – the best available tests are around 20 percent. pharmacies. So it’s better to search for a pharmacy beforehand to be sure that it has a specific product or even that it has any kind of test.
Increased traffic is also visible in online stores offering this type of products. In Medonet Market, where Internet users can buy both antigen tests and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detection tests. From mid-November, sales increased significantly, and the rapid saliva antigen test was of particular interest.
Since spring this year, coronavirus detection tests are also available in stores of large grocery chains, including in Lidl, where you can buy antigen and antibody tests. – For several weeks we have noticed an increase in sales of both tests we offer, which is the result of the growing number of infections – confirms Aleksandra Robaszkiewicz, head of corporate communications and CSR at Lidl Polska.
- See also: The COVID-19 test from Biedronka does not detect coronavirus. How it works? [WE EXPLAIN]
There are also more official RT-PCR tests
How does the interest in performing home tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection translate into undergoing testing through the official route, i.e. at the swab collection point? Looking at the data provided by the Ministry of Health, the number of RT-PCR tests performed has also increased significantly since the beginning of November. On October 23, 51 were submitted to them. 957 people, a month later – already 91 thousand. 012. The most, as much as 115 thousand. 051, swabs were taken on December 8. In total, there were only nine days in December when the number of tests performed fell below 100. (the least – 50 202).
Do you want to test your COVID-19 immunity after vaccination? Have you been infected and want to check your antibody levels? See the COVID-19 immunity test package, which you will perform at Diagnostics network points.
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