Positive self-performed antigen tests will now be considered valid for health department

With the spread of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Catalonia, health authorities have changed protocol regarding self-testing. 

From now on, antigen tests performed at home that return positive results will be considered valid tests and the person should self-isolate for 10 days. The person will not need to go to health authorities for a PCR test, as the health department will regard the positive self-performed test as fully valid.

Following protocol, self-testing positive cases will have to get in touch with their primary care center or via a website to inform them about the positive test results. It is only recommended to go to the health center or call the emergency number 112 if the patient’s condition worsens. 

Once the positive case is reported, the person will receive a phone message with another website to name its close contacts and to request sick leave.

Covid-19 in Catalonia

As of December 26, 2021, official figures, released daily on this website, state there have been 1,208,779 confirmed Covid-19 cases (PCR tests and others including antibody tests).

In Catalonia, a total of 24,453 people with or suspected to have had the virus have died since the beginning of the outbreak according to funeral homes.

The vaccine rollout began in Catalonia on December 27, 2020. As of December 26, 2021, 6,255,888 residents have been given the first dose of the vaccine, 79% of the total population. Out of those, 5,429,445 have also been administered a second dose (68.6% of the total population). 6,056,680 residents are considered to be fully immunized (76.1%), and Catalonia has administered 1,715,532 third doses (21.8%).