   In February, covid-19 testing could be carried out within the main international airports: Juan Santamaría and Daniel Oduber. -WHO photo - |
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 Published Thursday, January 28, 2021 Covid-19
diagnostic tests could be
implemented at airports in February By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Last week, the Ministry of Health authorized private laboratories to carry out covid-19 diagnostic tests for people who must leave the country. In February, covid-19 testing could be carried out within the main international airports: Juan Santamaría in Alajuela Province and Daniel Oduber in Guanacaste Province, according to Massimo Manzi, executive director of the Chamber of Health, an organization that is managing the process of enabling the virus diagnostic tests in private laboratories. One of the reasons the tests are still in the process of being imported is due to strong global demand and lacking supply of the kits. It takes time to be able to supply laboratories with sufficient covid-19 detection tests. "We are depending on the providers of these tests, it is an issue that we are working on in coordination with the Ministry of Health," Manzi said. Initially, there will be two types of rapid diagnostic tests, recommended by the World Health Organization, WHO. Expected to begin in February the tests will be offered at the two main international airports of the country. This is for the convenience of people who leave the country and must comply with the testing requirement. Due to the speedy increase in covid-19 infections worldwide, more countries are requesting as an entry requirement, to present a negative covid-19 diagnostic test. Among these countries are the United States (as of Jan. 26), Canada, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Holland, the Netherlands, among many others. Last week, Gustavo Segura, Minister of Tourism announced that these tests will only be for people who must travel to a country where this is an entry requirement. The antigen diagnostic test detects proteins of the virus. To obtain a sample, a swab must be inserted into the nose. This allows the result in less than 24 hours. Private laboratories to carry out the diagnostic test are LABIN Lab., Clínica Bíblica Hospital, Páez Lab., San José Lab and Metropolitano Hospital, among others that are part of the Chamber of Health. According to Segura, the covid detection tests will not cost more than $100 in the Greater Metropolitan Area, GAM, which is the zone made up of cities in the outskirts of San José such as Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago. In rural zones, the most expensive pricing for the test is $150. Costa Rican authorities are not requesting tourists for a covid-19 diagnostic test when entering the country. But this decision could change depending on the development of the virus in the country.  Last week, scientists from the three principal public universities in Costa Rica, the University of Costa Rica, the Technologic University and the National University, completed the first prototype of saliva tests for a speedy diagnosis of covid-19. After almost a month of investigation and the support of more than 20 specialists, the scientists begin with the verification phase of the saliva tests they are developing for the fast diagnosis of covid-19. With the use of synthetic genes also designed by the scientists, the preliminary results obtained so far are successful, according to the scientists. “The first results show that in vitro tests using synthetic genes achieved a sensitivity of 94.4% in the ability of the test to detect the disease. It also has a specificity level of 100% in the case of applying the test to healthy individuals," German Madrigal, director of the Institute for Pharmaceutical Research said. "The percentages obtained are very high and mean that the test has great potential to improve the diagnosis of covid-19." If this new test successfully passes the following two stages that are still pending, it is expected that within a few months the university would be sharing with Social Security, the Ministry of Health and any company that wishes to produce the tests. The country will have an additional resource to the standard test for the diagnosis of covid-19 with 70% less cost, the scientist said in its statement. -------------------------- How will requiring the covid-19 diagnostic test for return flights impact tourism? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com         
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