In a week, 1410 covid tests were carried out in Lisbon pharmacies | Coronavirus

Since the massive testing campaign for covid-19 in Lisbon began last week, 1410 people have been tested in the participating pharmacies. The day with the most tests was Easter Monday, April 5, with 260 people looking to find out whether or not they were infected. The testing campaign was launched on March 31 by the Lisbon Chamber and covers, for now, ten parishes in the city, those where the incidence of the disease is greater than 120 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants: Ajuda, Alvalade, Arroios, Estrela, Marvila , Olivais, São Vicente, Santa Clara, Santa Maria Maior and Santo António.

The test is free and can be done by any resident of one of these parishes, with or without symptoms. The municipality’s expectation is that around 200 thousand people will be tested, but the first data are below expectations. In this total amount of tests, 1410, those of this Wednesday, April 7 are still not included.

There are currently 83 pharmacies participating in the campaign across the city, including in parishes that are not yet referred for testing. In order to be able to do the tests, pharmacies must be linked to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (Sinave), communicating the results automatically to the National Health Service. . In Parque das Nações, for example, only one establishment will be possible to take the test. Even in large parishes, such as Olivais, Marvila or Carnide, there are few pharmacies available.

The chamber plans to invest around 15 million euros in this campaign. Oeiras and Cascais are two neighboring municipalities where massive and free testing for the population is also taking place.