Even without a test, your doctor can classify you as infected

On September 21, 2020, Cecília Müller, Medical Director, and Miklós Kásler, Minister of Health, issued a new procedure (.pdf) for the treatment of the coronavirus epidemic. Under the new procedure, a GP can confirm coronavirus infection without a PCR test based on the symptoms shown. However, the records of patients diagnosed in the two ways are already different. Regardless of how the infected person is diagnosed, the case must be reported to the center, but while PCR-confirmed infections should indicate disease outcome (patient recovered or died) or time of discharge from hospital, diagnosed infections should no longer be reported based solely on symptoms. In the same way, they were diagnosed only on the basis of their symptoms, the so-called in the case of “suspected” or suspected infections, the patient is instructed to isolate him at home, official action is only possible in the case of infected patients .

A PCR test should only be ordered if the patient has symptoms and has been in a coronavirus-infected area, or has been in close contact with a confirmed infected person, or if he or she can be classified as at risk for any reason.

According to the new procedure, hospitalized patients with suspected or proven infection should be separated from others in medical care, and separate provisions should be made to distinguish between confirmed and symptomatic symptomatic patients who are only likely to be infected or have been shown to be infected. infected but asymptomatic. isolate. Furthermore, it is a requirement to provide a distance of one meter between patients waiting in the waiting rooms and not to place reading or children’s toys in the waiting rooms.

The new procedure also foresees the search for contacts of certified infected people, but PCR tests are mandatory only for asymptomatic contacts who have been in close contact with an infected person confirmed as a caregiver in a health care system and in care facilities. long-term.