SEPT. 20, 2022

COVID-19: Cases continue to fall and Government launches «Antigen test in three steps» strategy for self-reporting

  • The purchase of low-cost antigen tests will be linked to a person’s unique tax number (RUT) to allow them to report the result online or via the Testing, Traceability and Isolation (TTA) phone number on 800 371 900. 

  • You can find the associated pharmacies at www.turnosdefarmacia.cl

  • The Health Ministry has announced that 93 municipalities will advance to the Low Health Impact phase from Thursday, September 22, at 5:00am. 

 

Public Health Undersecretary Cristóbal Cuadrado has presented the “Antigen test in three steps” strategy at the Bustamante Pharmacy in Maipú, Santiago. He was joined by Jaime Espina, acting director of the Health System’s Supply Center (CENABAST); Daniel Sepúlveda, president of the Asociación de Farmacias Independientes de Chile (Chilean Association of Independent Pharmacies); and Mónica Pérez, representative of the Asociación de Farmacéuticos Dueños de Farmacias (Pharmacy Owners’ Association). 

“As we have already said, it is clear that we are at a new point in the pandemic. Cases continued to fall this week by 33%, and 42% over the last two weeks. A very important factor for maintaining these indicators is that we have timely access to testing and preventative testing, and that requires expanding our diagnostic capabilities for COVID-19,” Undersecretary Cuadrado stated. 

The first step of the strategy focuses on access, where, thanks to the CENABAST Law and purchases made by the institution, people from today will be able to acquire antigen tests for less than $3,000 Chilean pesos (US$3) in 498 associated pharmacies. The associated pharmacies include both chain and independent, and their number will gradually increase to over a thousand. They can be found at www.turnosdefarmacia.cl

“These are tests certified by the Public Health Institute that have a high sensitivity and certified quality, and which will help to keep us safe and continue moving forward,” Undersecretary Cuadrado explained. 

People must present their identification card when purchasing the tests in order for reporting to be properly carried out. Each test has a unique folio number that will be associated with the person who buys it. 

Undersecretary Cuadrado emphasized that reporting the results is the most important part of the strategy. Therefore, “once the test has been taken, you can report the result in one of two ways: filling in the form created for the purpose by scanning the QR code found on the box; or calling the Testing, Traceability and Isolation (TTA) phone number on 800 371 900.”

Finally, Undersecretary Cuadrado repeated the call for people to get tested. “Timely testing should be done as soon as the person shows symptoms or learns that they have been in contact with a person who has tested positive. But we can also get tested to prevent, particularly if we are going to meet at risk people… This step will allow us to prevent infection, so it is a key element to facing the pandemic, especially at this time when we are updating the health strategy.” 

We Keep Taking Care of Each Other Step-by-Step Plan 

It was also announced that from Thursday, September 22, at 5:00am, 93 municipalities will advance to the Low Health Impact phase. 

Arica Region: Arica, Camarones, Putre and General Lagos. 

Atacama Region: Copiapó, Caldera and Tierra Amarilla.

Coquimbo Region: Illapel, Canela, Los Vilos, Salamanca, Ovalle, Combarbalá, Monte Patria, Punitaqui and Río Hurtado. 

Valparaíso Region: Los Andes, Calle Larga, Rinconada, San Esteban, San Felipe, Catemu, Llayllay, Panquehue, Putaendo, Santa María, Quilpué, Limache, Olmué and Villa Alemana.

O’Higgins Region: San Fernando, Chépica, Chimbarongo, Lolol, Nancagua, Palmilla, Peralillo, Placilla, Pumanque and Santa Cruz.

Maule Region: Talca, Constitución, Curepto, Empedrado, Maule, Pelarco, Pencahue, Río Claro, San Clemente, San Rafael, Cauquenes, Chanco, Pelluhue, Linares, Colbún, Longaví, Parral, Retiro, San Javier, Villa Alegre and Yerbas Buenas.

La Araucanía Region: Temuco, Carahue, Cunco, Curarrehue, Freire, Galvarino, Gorbea, Lautaro, Loncoche, Melipeuco, Nueva imperial, Padre las Casas, Perquenco, Pitrufquén, Pucón, Saavedra, Teodoro Schmidt, Toltén, Vilcún, Villarrica and Cholchol.

Los Lagos Region: Osorno, Puerto Octay, Purranque, Puyehue, Río Negro, San Juan de la Costa, San Pablo, Chaitén, Futaleufú, Hualauhué and Palena.

▶ To find out about the situation in each of Chile’s municipalities, go to gob.cl/pasoapaso

Source: Health Ministry