Christmas is fast approaching, and so are its family reunions. A reunion that cannot be spoiled by the Covid, so many Chambériens are taking the lead. Many go to pharmacies to get an antigen test.
150 to 200 tests per day
In this small pharmacy in old Chambéry, patients parade. “We realize _between 150 and 200 tests per day_“, explains Sophie Marcou, the manager. Antigenic tests on the rise which have led to adapt.“We had to hire more nurses to keep up with the demand.”
In front of her, families waiting to be tested. “It’s reassuring before seeing the grandparents”, explains Salomé. The teenager and her sister are not vaccinated and do not want to take any risks. The same for Mathieu. He is there with his 4-year-old son Hugo. “He has more the symptoms of a gastro, but we don’t want to take any chances with Christmas coming.”
At the same time, a patient gusts past to collect 5 self-tests. One for each member of his family. “We will do it just before Christmas!”, She explains before setting off again in the hunt for presents.
Breaking self-tests
Highly requested self-tests. Chambéry pharmacies bear witness to a sold out. Several pharmacies even display it as soon as you enter “No more self-tests.” In this pharmacy near Les Halles, we have seen this increase in demand for 10 days. A demand that is growing. “We have placed a large order, it should arrive during the day”, hopes Gaspard Roulier, titular pharmacist. On the side, antigenic tests, demand is very strong. The pharmacy only opens its appointments in 48 hour slots, “otherwise we would be full for weeks and weeks.” In addition, it is necessary at the same time continue to provide vaccination, whose demand is also exploding since the announcements on the vaccine pass.