Budapest to increase rapid Covid-19 test capacity

 The Budapest municipality has decided to substantially increase its coronavirus testing capacity by purchasing 100,000 antigen detection test kits in an effort to halt the spread of Covid-19 infections, the mayor of the city said on Wednesday.

The antigen tests yield results much faster than PCR tests, the results of which would often take up to ten days to be returned to social care institutions, Gergely Karacsony told an online press conference.

“An effective protection against coronavirus is impossible this way,” he said.

A preference in testing will be given to the residents and staff of municipally-run institutions, the mayor said, adding that 50,000 tests would be distributed among the capital city’s districts to ensure screening to those working in sectors most exposed to infection, such as teachers.

The municipality will simultaneously launch a donation campaign to support the testing of teachers in view of its “dramatic financial situation” caused by substantial revenue losses due the epidemic, he said.

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