![Covid-19: saliva tests soon in schools and universities](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2021-02-05/i99567-tests-salivaires-ecoles-universites.jpeg)
In a press conference which took place this Thursday, February 4, 2021, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran indicated that the government wishes to deploy saliva tests in schools and universities in France. After receiving authorization from the HAS, these tests will be used from the end of February with the aim of increasing screening for Covid-19.
Perform hundreds of thousands of tests after school holidays
During a press conference given this Thursday, February 4, 2021, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran announced the establishment of a major Covid screening operation in schools and universities after the winter holidays. ” We are going to increase collective screening operations, in particular for schools […], but also universities He explained. To do this, the government is relying on the use of saliva tests. Until then excluded from the Covid-19 screening system, these saliva tests will be deployed ” so as to reinforce the acceptability of the test which may not be pleasant when you are small “Explained the Minister of Health.
If the launch of this operation should start ” back from school holidays “, The authorities await the opinion of the High Authority of Health (HAS) which should be expressed within ten days. Once this independent scientific public authority has approved the use of saliva tests in schools, the government plans to ” perform several hundred thousand tests “.
A less unpleasant sampling technique for children
Regarding the deadlines, Olivier Véran indicated that it will not be about rapid tests since they will always have to be analyzed in the laboratory. “ It would be great if we could have saliva tests that give you a result in a few minutes, but at this point the studies […] are not in favor of their use, because the sensitivity of the tests that exist today is too low “, He explained. He also stressed the fact that these tests will be less unpleasant for children to perform. ” Only the sampling technique changes in this case “, Since it suffices to spit out saliva and we avoid” the swab in the nose »He clarified.