The Minister of Education made a last-minute announcement that targets all schools in Romania, and this is because a decision was finally made on how the saliva tests will be done, the Minister of Health stating that they can be administered at home by the students' parents.
The Minister of Education says that these tests will arrive only next week, and the distribution will only start from that point, but according to the Ministry of Health, they will not necessarily have to be administered in schools by medical personnel, but can be done even at home by parents the students.
"The tests have not yet reached the schools. According to the latest information I received today, they will arrive at the latest in the middle of next week, although initially I received assurances that they will arrive at the end of this week, but it is certain that they will arrive.
Before entering this videoconference, I had discussions with the Ministry of Health to adapt to reality, to the epidemiological evolution in the country, the measures by which students can participate in classes in Romania and with physical presence, under health protection conditions. At the end of this week, we will have to have things clear, at the educational and health level, in order to start the testing next week. declared Sorin Cimpeanu.
We specify that the rapid non-invasive antigen tests performed from the saliva sample can be used for preventive purposes, for the early detection of some cases of asymptomatic infection among students. The positive result of a saliva test raises the suspicion of possible infection (suspicious case) and must be followed by diagnosis by the RT-PCR method or by a rapid antigen test. No medical training or special working conditions are required to use the tests.
As a result, the current legislation does not exclude the use of these tests at home. In this context, the decision to use at home non-invasive rapid antigen tests performed from the saliva sample rests with the educational system. stated the Ministry of Education."
