Coronavirus: Health Minister demanded the maintenance of stricter measures after December 21 – Bulgaria

Health Minister Kostadin Angelov announced that he expects next week to have a decision to equate the results of antigen tests to those of PCR tests, which will include them in official statistics, but with an explicit condition of a table. clear clinical.

Antigen testing has been widely used since the beginning of November in Bulgaria, when it was introduced as a test method in sorting vans in front of state hospitals and in COVID centers in former polyclinics in large cities. However, their data is not publicly reported, nor is it used for quarantine and hospitalization, since the only ones officially recognized by state tests are the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. In the last two weeks, statistics show a decrease in new infections, but fewer tests are also carried out.

© Georgi Kozhukharov

“By December 21, I hope that the commission of experts of the Ministry of Health will complete its work and recognize antigen tests as tests that can, with a clinical picture and a positive test, be equated with PCR and begin to enter the registries officers, “he said today. the minister, who with his deputy Slavi Pachalov verified the available quantities of tests and protective equipment for medical personnel at the Central Warehouse of the Bulgarian Red Cross. Recognition of antigenic tests will require an order from the Minister.

In response to a question, Angelov clarified that the official statistics provided by the state for the coronavirus will not be retrospectively updated with antigen testing data. He also clarified that it is anticipated that GPs will be able to provide referrals for this type of examination. Details – here.