A screening center opened its doors today within the premises of the Covid-19 Argelès-Lourdes-Vallées des Gaves vaccination center. A means of coping with the increasingly strong need to test the population.
This is not new to the department. Ten days ago, a screening center opened its doors within the vaccination center at Espace Jouanolou in Juillan. Since Monday, this has also been the case in Argelès-Gazost to meet the high demand for Covid-19 tests. “It is increasingly difficult to get tested, notes Michel Sarniguet, doctor in charge of the Argelès-Gazost vaccination center (rue du Stade). Even if there is a laboratory and three pharmacies between Argelès and Pierrefitte-Nestalas, we realize that it is not enough. This makes it possible to have a place dedicated to tests, in addition to the existing offer. It is convenient for families.”
During the same opening hours as the vaccination center (see below), a nurse, accompanied by an administrative assistant, is responsible for carrying out the antigenic tests in this screening area, the entrance to which is located at the back of the Jean Begaries stadium car park. Even if the reception is done without an appointment, it is preferable to reserve a slot on 06 35 71 47 18.
A strong need to test
In the Hautes-Pyrénées, the indicators of the epidemic continue to climb to record levels: more than 1000 positive cases are identified every day and the incidence rate (number of people infected over a week, in a population of 100,000 inhabitants) stands at 3463 to January 20. The virus is actively circulating and therefore the need for testing is growing. “More than 35,000 tests were carried out from January 10 to 16 in the department, compared to 28,000 weekly tests at the end of 2021, notes the prefect, Rodrigue Furcy, who visited the screening center on Monday in the company of the territorial director of the ARS, Manon Mordelet, and the mayor of Argelès, Gaëlle Vallin. There is a very strong increase in the need for testing currently. The idea is to reinforce the action of laboratories and pharmacies, not replace it”.
About a hundred people can be tested every day in this new collective testing center, which could expand in the future depending on demand.
Encourage vaccination
The prefect of the Hautes-Pyrénées also took advantage of his trip to the center of Argelès, on this day introduction of the vaccination pass, to encourage people to get vaccinated, in addition to getting tested. Devices vaccination closer to unvaccinated people have just been implemented in the department.
Clement Beaume
Vaccination and screening center of Argelès-Gazost
Rue du Stade in Argelès-Gazost.
Open in the morning from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and in the afternoon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Screening without an appointment but possibility to reserve a slot via a dedicated number: 06 35 71 47 18.