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COVID-19: What are the differences between the tests?

COVID-19: What are the differences between the tests?

15 July 2021

About a week ago, the Portuguese Government announced new measures in relation to the pandemic: the obligation to present a negative test to COVID-19 at the entrance of a restaurant or a hotel/local accommodation. For the first one, this rule applies only to high and very high-risk municipalities, between 7:00 pm on Friday and 11:59 pm on Sunday and on public holidays. In the case of hotels, it applies to the entire country, throughout the week.

As expected, this subject has become one of the most talked-about in the media and social networks, but there are still many questions regarding the tests. So let's try to demystify some of the main questions that we have been asked so far.

 

What tests are valid for entering local restaurants or hotels/accommodations?

In Portugal, there are three different types of tests, and all of them are valid for the fulfillment of this new rule of the Portuguese Government:

  • PCR Test - Performed at the laboratory level by a qualified healthcare professional, this test directly searches for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the airways. It has high sensitivity and specificity in the simultaneous identification of several virus genes. Test sample collection is performed in the nasopharynx with the aid of a swab. It must be done up to 72 hours before the presentation at the restaurant/hotel and the time to obtain the results may vary (between 2h and 48h).
  • Rapid Antigen Test - performed in the laboratory or in pharmacies by a qualified healthcare professional, this test allows for the identification of the presence of specific proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Test sample collection is performed in the nasopharynx with the aid of a swab. It must be done up to 48 hours before its presentation at the restaurant/hotel and the time to obtain the results is 15-30 minutes.
  • Self-Test (Antigen) - performed by the person, this test ends up having characteristics very similar to the Rapid Antigen Test (specificity, sensitivity, time to obtain the results). The main difference is that sample collection is carried out in the nasal cavity and not the nasopharynx, which means that the swab does not have to be inserted deeply. This type of test must be done up to 24 hours before its presentation at the restaurant/hotel, in the presence of a health or pharmaceutical professional who certifies that it has been carried out and the result (although the Law is still not very clear in relation to the conditions in which this certification must occur), or at the door of the establishment you intend to attend, under verification by those responsible for these spaces.

Nasopharyngeal collection performed in PCR Test and Rapid Antigen Test

                        Nasal collection performed in the Self-Test

 

Do children also have to be tested to enter local restaurants or hotels/accommodations?

At this time, only children over 12 years of age need to test negative for COVID-19, following the rules already answered in the previous question.

 

But do I have to take the test specifically 24/48/72 hours in advance?

These time periods are the maximum limits that are defined for carrying out a test (and that are dependent on the chosen test, as explained in the first question). So you just need to ensure that you take the test within that time period and that you get the results before you have to present them. If you cannot make any timely appointments at a pharmacy or clinical analysis laboratory, you can always carry out the self-test at the door of the establishment (restaurant/hotel/local accommodation).

 

I heard/read in the news that Rapid Antigen Tests are free. Is it true?

Yes, but with certain conditions. Not the entire population is eligible for taking the Rapid Antigen Test for free. There are some criteria that are defined:

  • Not having a complete vaccination schedule against COVID-19 for at least 14 days;
  • Not have a certificate attesting to recovery from a SARS-CoV-2 infection for more than 11 days and less than 180 days;
  • Be 12 years or older;
  • Not having performed, in the current month, more than 4 Rapid Antigen Tests reimbursed by the SNS.

Furthermore, not all pharmacies are carrying out this type of co-payment testing. You can find in INFARMED (in Portuguese) the official and updated list of pharmacies that are carrying out these reimbursed tests. Farmácia Saúde also performs the reimbursed Rapid Antigen Tests, so you can also make your appointment with us, through the banner on our website or by accessing this link (in Portuguese).

 

These are just some of the questions that are asked very often. If you still have any questions, please contact us through our contact form or send us an email at geral@farmaciasaude.com.pt. Our team will be happy to answer your questions.

 

Dr. Ana Filipa Silva

 

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