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While they were little used, self-tests are now part of the weapons to fight against Covid-19. Distributed free of charge in schools or available in pharmacies, they are accessible to everyone. But their effectiveness raises questions.
They allow to obtain a result in 15 minutes. Recommended by scientists, self-tests have become an essential element in the fight against Covid 19. Are they reliable? The Haute Autorité de santé is categorical: there is a margin of error. Out of 10 people tested, two will display a negative result incorrectly. Its efficiency would therefore be 80% against 95% for a PCR test. This is sufficient according to Professor Antoine Flahault, epidemiologist, because “all tests may have a certain margin of error”.
Other studies show that their effectiveness is variable. For example, they would be 65% effective on symptomatic people against 44% on asymptomatic people. In addition, they must be able to be used by everyone. In one school, the principal bought 500 child-friendly self-tests. In adults, the authorities recommend the use of a self-test when visiting a loved one or before carrying out an activity in a closed place.
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