From 1 August, stricter norms will apply to testing centers and pharmacies for COVID 19 tests in the canton of Zurich. Only employees with basic medical training are allowed to perform rapid antigen tests and PCR tests, reports “NZZ am Sonntag”. This also includes medical students and pharmaceutical assistants. Till now common people have also been allowed to take nasal swabs.
The Zurich health directorate justifies this measure with the fact that “shortcomings were found in the implementation of the COVID 19 tests in various areas, such as the safety of the staff and the people tested,” the directorate told “NZZ am Sonntag”.
In fact, huge testing capacity had to be built from scratch during the pandemic. In many cantonments, people who had no basic medical training were also trained and hired for the purpose. For example restaurants whose restaurants were closed.
Hoteliers no longer allowed to test
Several Zurich pharmacies have objected to the stricter rules. Among them is a pharmacist who hired an unemployed former hotelier and trained him to take samples. “The fact that we are suddenly not allowed to hire him,” she told the Sunday Press.
The Zurich health authority has rejected his appeal. The Department of Health justifies the fact that the tests require medical staff with the risks involved in sampling and the potential for false-negative test results.
Cantonal spirit even when testing
As far as the testing regime was concerned, the cantons were able to set their own rules. Some have only allowed medical personnel to be tested during the pandemic. The layperson is still permitted in the canton of Bern.
Many positive tests are still being done: The federal office of public health reported 49,757 new infections on Tuesday, within a week. This corresponds to about 5,000 fewer cases than the previous week. 32 people have died. (you)
