The Ministry of Health is proceeding with the purchase of an additional 400,000 rapid antigen tests after the approval by the Council of Ministers of the relevant proposal submitted by the Minister of Health Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, within the strategy of the Ministry of Health for systematic surveillance of the country's epidemiological image.
The new quantity of rapid tests will be used to expand the population control that is already underway, with the aim of continuing the "aggressive" tactics for controlling the general population. This practice contributes to the early detection of transmission chains and consequently helps to immediately limit individuals with a positive result, in order to reduce the chances of wider spread of the virus.
In addition, the control in camps is already being carried out and will be extended with a larger number of tests, while in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, a control program with rapid test will be implemented in school units.
At the same time, the rapid tests will be used to intensify the controls on the employees (weekly) and the residents (monthly) in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other closed structures from next week, immediately after the completion of the control program with the method of molecular examination. is already in progress.
In this context and to ensure proper surveillance and control of these areas (nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other closed structures), a key supporting factor is the enlightenment of the management and staff for the current updated health protocols and measures. For this purpose, under the guidance of the Advisor to the Minister of Health for coronavirus issues Dr. Zois-Dorothea Pana, a team consisting of 40 volunteer students of Medical Schools has been set up and trained, which through a follow-up form prepared, undertakes both training on measures but also the on-the-spot monitoring of their implementation. The main goal is to create a channel of communication with these structures, in order to clarify the measures and protocols and to give the guidance needed for the protection of employees and especially residents.
In addition, by decision of the Council of Ministers and under the guidance of the Office of the Commissioner for Volunteering and Non-Governmental Organizations, a network of volunteers is activated, who will assist in enlightenment and monitoring of protocols in the workplace. The purpose of this action is the responsible and coordinated information and monitoring of the implementation of the measures in companies and companies, minimizing the chances of cases and preventing the transmission of the virus in the workplace.