Balearic pharmacists warn about the lack of antigen test

The Official College of Pharmacists of the Balearic Islands (Cofib) has pointed out that, at the moment, there is “practically a shortage” of antigen tests in pharmacies in the archipelago.

This has been explained, in statements to Europa Press, by the president of Cofib, Antoni Real, who added that it is possible that this week there will be “a significant delay” in the arrival of tests to the Islands.

However, he pointed out that “the forecasts cannot be confirmed” and that, in principle, more self-diagnosis tests should reach the community this coming Thursday. The increase in sales in recent days has been mainly motivated by the proximity of the holidays and social and family gatherings for Christmas, before which many citizens have chosen to take a test “for safety”.

After December 25, Christmas Day, the demand for antigen tests has dropped “a little” in the Balearic Islands, although the president of Cofib believes that it is foreseeable that it will grow again in the face of New Years Eve and New Years.

Since the pharmacies have this type of tests available, around 260,000 antigen tests have been sold in the Islands, an important part during these Christmas days. Given this situation in the pharmacies of the Islands, Real has insisted that these tests should be done “prioritizing people who have symptoms compatible with COVID-19” or who are “very close” contacts of a positive.

Close contacts, according to Real, are those people who have been with a positive for coronavirus, for more than 15 minutes, without a safety distance and without a mask.