Ayuso will give away antigen tests to perform them before Christmas gatherings

The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, announced this Wednesday that each Madrid citizen will be supplied with a free antigen test “so that in case of social gatherings”, during Christmas, “do it safely”. To carry out this measure, the Community of Madrid is going to purchase 4 million diagnostic tests, so that Madrid residents will be able to collect their antigen test at the pharmacy as of December 15.

It will only be necessary to present the health card and for the 600,000 people who lack this documentation, mainly mutualists, they will be able to collect their test simply by presenting their DNI or NIF. Likewise, as explained by the president of the Nurse Isabel Zendal hospital, which celebrates one year since its inauguration, the collaboration of the Business so that they facilitate the test to all their employees.

This measure can help reduce infections but it is not a panacea since, according to specialists, antigen tests are useful to detect infection in people with symptoms but they lose effectiveness in people without symptoms, who are mainly those who will be tested before meeting with their family or friends in the Christmas celebrations. In these cases, it would be more effective to have a PCR, although they are much more expensive than antigen tests.

Vaccine for children

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In addition, Ayuso has announced that the covid plan for Christmas in the Community of Madrid contemplates an investment of 40 million euros for the maintenance of health professionals reinforcement until at least after winter. The strategy also contemplates that vaccinate to the under 12 years as of December 15, which is the date indicated by the Ministry of Health to receive the doses aimed at this group.

Finally, he explained that the system of autocita to receive any dose of the covid vaccine.