If you don’t have symptoms, don’t get tested for Covid-19, ask the PAHO

With Covid-19 infections increasing in the Americas and the demand for diagnostic tests higher than ever, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Carissa F-Etienne, has called on countries to prioritize rapid antigen tests for symptomatic people, which she Who are most likely to spread the disease?.

With 7.2 million new cases of SARS-CoV-2 recorded in the region during the past weekEtienne told a news conference that countries should “expand testing at the community level to relieve pressure on hospitals working overtime.”

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Why are quick tests needed?

The director of the Pan American Health Organization added that the rapid antigen tests, which provide diagnosis in just a few minutes, do not require specialized equipment or training, so “they can be deployed in primary health centers, where they can reach more people near their homes.” .

Given the current shortage of tests—a problem that will continue for some time as the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly across the region, according to the Pan American Health Organization—, Etienne also urged states to advise those without symptoms who have been exposed to Covid-19 to self-quarantine where possible and to follow public health measures..

“Slowing the spread of disease will take away every tool in our arsenal: vaccines, physical distancing, proper masks, avoiding large gatherings and testing,” he said.

Ómicron leads to hospitalization

Regarding the situation in the Americas, Etienne said the United States and Canada are still seeing an increase in hospital admissions.

In South America, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina are also seeing increases in hospital admissions, and spikes in infections have been reported in Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.

Meanwhile, in Central America, cases in Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras have doubled over the past week.

The Caribbean islands also saw a sharp rise in infections, with cases doubling in more than 17 countries and territories.

More than 60% of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean has their own complete vaccination schedule against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

“Vaccines protect us from the worst symptoms of Covid-19 and reduce the chances of needing hospital care,” said the director of the Pan American Health Organization, asking those who are eligible and those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible.