Expansion of availability of Corona tests

The canton of Zug is expanding the availability of Corona tests. In addition to the existing test centres at the Zug Cantonal Hospital, the Hirslanden Andreas Clinic and the health point in Oberägeri, as well as the GP practices, several pharmacies are now conducting antigen quick tests. The new test facilities will be available from 1^st December 2020.

The situation in the canton of Zug has stabilised at a high level in recent weeks and days, and contact tracing is again reaching all infected persons and their close contact persons within 24 hours, according to a report from the cantonal health directorate. The capacity in hospitals and test centres is also not being pushed to their limit. However, this snapshot should not hide the fact that the number of tests being carried out is declining. Cantonal doctor Ruedi Hauri is concerned about this trend: "A falling test rate makes an analysis of the situation more difficult, and hinders a reasonable and meaningful assessment of the next steps."

The spread of the coronavirus can no longer be effectively combated if fewer people let themselves be tested. All persons who show even mild symptoms should therefore let themselves be tested.

Pharmacies as an addition to the existing test opportunities
It is therefore all the more pleasing that the testing possibilities will be expanded from 1^st December 2020. From this point on, various pharmacies in the canton of Zug will start offering rapid antigen tests, as follows:

• Apotheke Drogerie Moll in Steinhausen: Tests from 1^st December 2020 in test tents in the car park Nord P4 of the Zugerland shopping centre. Appointment/reservation mandatory via www.covidtestcenter.ch.
• Amavita Apotheke in Zug: tests from 1^st December 2020 in a container behind the pharmacy on the Bundesplatz (EPA Platz) in Zug: Appointment/reservation mandatory by phone (058 878 24 50), an online registration option will follows.
• Arkadenhof Apotheke Rotkreuz: Tests from 9^th December 2020.  Reservation mandatory by phone (041 790 88 14).

The pharmacies have developed processes that allow the day-to-day business and the new test to be managed in a safe manner, without any concerns. In addition, the Gotthard Apotheke in Baar is preparing to offer tests at the beginning of the new year, if necessary.

The Health Directorate is pleased with the expansion of the test offer. "A wide and quickly accessible range of tests is crucial for the fight against the corona virus. I would therefore like to thank the pharmacies for now also carrying out antigen quick tests. They are making a valuable contribution in this challenging time," says Government Councillor (Regierungsrat) Martin Pfister. We are cautiously optimistic that wide use will be made of the new test possibility and that the test rate can be increased again.

Antigen quick tests for specific people
The pharmacies are carrying out the new antigen quick tests, but not the PCR tests that have been in use since the start of the pandemic. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) envisages the use of antigen quick tests in clearly defined cases: quick tests are carried out for people with symptoms who are not among the group of the most vulnerable persons. These include the elderly, pregnant women and adults with certain pre-existing conditions. The antigen tests are also not used for healthcare workers. These people should therefore still contact one of the three test centres or their GP practice for a test.

The Confederation takes over the costs of the test in the following cases
The federal government will cover the cost of the test for all persons who show symptoms of corona infection. The tests are also free of charge for people who have been in contact with an infected person, and those people for whom Contact Tracing has ordered a test. The federal government does not cover the costs if a negative test result is required for a trip or due to an order from an employer.