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Ne sThousands have already been carried out in a few days in Granda and the first results say that the incidence of Covid-19 in the Cuneo population has been low, around 4-5%. Are the serological testsme, or a blood sample to investigate who has been affected by the virus, perhaps asymptomatic.
After the perplexities of the scientific world, in Piedmont they were cleared by customs in late April for companies and since last Monday for citizens, but only in private and paid laboratories. Costs: for companies it depends on agreements with laboratories, for individuals around 50 euros.
The tests are those approved by the Ministry of Health and the Region has been clear on this point: “They are of epidemiological and non-diagnostic value only, since to date they cannot replace swabs. Furthermore, they should not even be sent to local health authorities. ” they have no clinical value, but through these tests it is possible to understand whether you have come into contact with the virus, even if you always need a consultation with the doctor for diagnosis and treatment. But the same Region is using them in nursing homes (in operators and guests) and in the 55,000 Piedmontese public health workers: yesterday tests were also carried out on employees of the Granda ASL.
The ministry released a note imagining the race that has occurred in these hours: “However, the serological tests, according to the indications of the World Health Organization, cannot replace the molecular diagnostic test on a swab. they can provide epidemiological data on viral circulation in the population. “ Already in late April, the Region had authorized employers to use the tests “in business areas,” only if the employee agrees, and “exclusively under the supervision of the competent physician and at the employer’s expense.” .
These days serological tests have been requested non-stop with long queues at the centers that perform them, from Cuneo to Alba. In the province there are six laboratories and occupational medicine companies associated with Confindustria that carry them out (Bios, Biochemic, Cdc, Medical Center, Tna Center, Pasteur), but there are also others, such as the Carrucese medical center.
From the Pasteur laboratory on Corso Giolitti in Cuneo since Tuesday morning, queues of hundreds of meters: Depending on the direction taken from the front of the row, you have reached the railway station under the arcades or in the direction of the Santa Croce hospital. Cristina Trucco, administrator of the Pasteur laboratory: “In more than 40 years of activity, we have never registered these queues before. We have always had free access, from 8 to 10, from Monday to Friday; We are now considering citing entries. Requests? Many companies since April, but also commercial and craft activities. Citizens called every day to find out when the evidence would be available. Around two thousand were carried out in 4 days. “
At the entrance of the laboratory, the temperature is measured with a laser scanner to the clients, then the pre-triage is carried out and the acceptance behind large Plexiglas screens, finally a blood sample is collected from the arm, which is treated in Cuneo and sent to a laboratory outside the region. Results arrive in 4-5 business days, by mail, letter or picked up in person, always with an attached report that explains contacting the treating physician or the company’s work.
But the evidence available is a jungle: there are more than 100 on the market in Italy called “fast qualitative”, for DIY, that is, a drop of blood from the finger, which is placed in a small device that indicates the presence or absence of immunoglobulins. Too bad the reliability is 30%. so There is quantitative evidence, including three in chemiluminescence. Lucia Gandino is the technical director of the Pasteur laboratory: Those in chemiluminescence are validated by the Superior Institute of Health. Before choosing which one to use, we perform internal tests to understand specificity and sensitivity – that is, the possibility of false negatives or errors. There is a reliability greater than 95% “. What does the test identify? Two types of antibodies that the immune system creates in the event of a viral infection (such as Covid-19) or bacterial They are the IgM, that the body makes when the disease is in course and decays quickly, and the IgG, more stable and slow. Both indicate contagion with the virus. The first results of Tuesday’s test have already arrived at the Corso Giolitti laboratory. The antibody detection rate is around 4%.
You also know that the topic is central. Confindustria Cuneo, which on Tuesday will evaluate all its 50 employees, in addition to President Mauro Gola. The association organized the first virtual seminar of phase 2 precisely on protection devices.and serological tests. Andrea Corniolo, manager of the association’s Office of Safety and Environment: “More than 150 remotely connected companies (more than 10% of the members, ed) participated. For serological tests, we have provided companies with information on what process the Region has proposed for employers. The tests have no diagnosis, but epidemiological value: understanding how much the virus has circulated in a specific population. They can only be done on a voluntary basis. Negative result? Activity continues smoothly. Positive? The person should undergo the swab as soon as possible. The Merlo company has already joined, in recent days we have received dozens of calls. It is a useful tool, but to be used involving the company doctor present by law in the most structured realities ».
