Health Ministry to buy additional 400,000 rapid antigen tests

The Council of Ministers has approved a proposal tabled by the Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou for the purchase of an additional 400,000 rapid antigen tests to bolster efforts toward monitoring the island’s epidemiological situation and limiting the spread of coronavirus. 

A press release issued by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday said that the additional rapid tests will be used to expand the testing of the general population that is currently underway. It noted that this contributes to the early detection of infection chains and consequently helps to immediately isolate individuals with a positive result, in order to reduce the chances of a wider spread of the virus.

In addition, more tests will be carried out in military camps, while in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, a screening program with rapid tests will be implemented in school units.

The Ministry of Health added that the rapid tests will be used to intensify testing on employees on a weekly basis and residents in care homes on a monthly basis, rehabilitation centres and other closed structures as of next week, right after the completion of the molecular testing programme that is already underway.

A team of 40 volunteer students of medical schools in Cyprus was set up under the guidance of Dr Zoe Dorothea Pana, advisor to the Minister of Health, to ensure that health measures and protocols in those structures are fully implemented.

Finally, a network of volunteers will assist in informing and monitoring the implementation of protocols in the workplace.