COVID-19 : The Prince's Government Continues to Increase the Number of PCR Tests

Bearing in mind that Monegasque statistics only count residents and non-residents who are hospitalised, 28 positive cases were identified in 14 days.  These are mainly people aged 20 to 40.  Infection occurred outside the Principality, in family homes or in the professional sphere during breaks.

Initially, the Government organised a major campaign to detect the virus with serological testing.  In this way, more than 38,000 people (residents, the school population and workers in the Principality) could be tested.  These serological tests are still available from pharmacists and health professionals on request.  They make it possible to find out quickly whether the person tested has been in contact with the virus in the past.

Along with this testing, Prince's Government has developed a PCR testing scheme, which reveals whether a person is positive for COVID-19 at the time of the test.  To do so, various players from the Monegasque health sector are involved.  To respond to great demand and taking the current situation of Monegasque health structures in terms of COVID-19 detection into account, the Principality is also working with laboratories based in the neighbouring region.  Specifically, the CHPG, the Monaco Scientific Centre, the Monaco Medical Analysis Laboratory, the Sports Medicine Centre, city nurses from Monaco and a laboratory in Beausoleil, as well as another in Nice, are ready to carry out the analyses on behalf of the Principality.

Currently, the testing capacity in Monaco is 960 per week, i.e. 137 per day.  From next week, this capacity will be increased to 1,260 per week.

To meet the ever-increasing demand for testing, the Prince's Government has taken steps to directly increase the testing capacity.  A team of private nurses and staff from the Sports Medicine Centre are reinforcing the city's testing capacity.

The Monaco Medical Analysis Laboratory, which carries out 50 tests per day, will be able, at the request of the Government, to open an additional site, making it possible to carry out an additional 50 tests per day as from next week.

The CHPG has already pre-ordered a new Abott automated system, which is currently pending EC approval.  This enables results to be given in 20 minutes.  It would allow 30 additional analyses per day to be undertaken.

Monaco Scientific Centre is awaiting delivery of an automated system that will make it possible to carry out 1,200 tests per day.  This device was ordered by the Prince's Government in May and should, in principle, be operational from mid-November.

All this demonstrates the Principality's commitment to widespread testing of its population.  Compared to other European States, Monaco's capacity to test its population is more than double that of Belgium, France, Germany and Iceland, and four times that of Switzerland and Italy.

However, these figures are not the only answer to people who are concerned about delays they are experiencing in obtaining tests.

The Prince's Government is well aware of the waiting period that is sometimes experienced by people who wish to have a sample taken for analysis.  It reiterates, however, that the health recommendations advise that people who have symptoms of the virus, or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, should be tested.

The Government is exploring all possible avenues to best equip the Principality in terms of testing, in an international environment under great tension in this regard.  Many countries also have high demand for PCR tests, reagents for analysis and swabs for sampling.  As was the case with the demand for masks at the start of the health crisis, supplies are becoming increasingly sought after.  The Government is focusing on consolidating supplies.

In the light of this situation, which should improve in the coming weeks, the Government is organising tests based on health priorities.  Tests are therefore carried out as a priority on patients who present with symptoms that suggest the disease or who have been in close contact with a positive case.  These situations, as reported by a doctor (a city, work, DASA or school doctor) are given priority and dealt with within 24 to 36 hours.

The Monegasque authorities wish to do everything possible to ensure that all stages of the test are carried out in the Principality of Monaco.  This will enable the Principality to be totally autonomous.