NL residents less willing to get tested when they have Covid symptoms

Despite the number of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands skyrocketing in the past weeks, the willingness among Netherlands residents to get tested if they have symptoms is dwindling. Fewer and fewer people are showing up at a GGD test location with symptoms. And a survey by public health institute RIVM showed that only 40 percent of respondents with Covid-19 symptoms went to get tested, NOS reports.

That is problematic, experts said to the broadcaster. "It is so important to go to the GGD for a test if you have symptoms," Jolanda Hoefnagel of the GGD said to the broadcaster. It not only prevents you from inadvertently spreading the virus but helps the health authorities keep track of its spread. "Even if you are vaccinated because then you can also get the coronavirus."

Epidemiologists Esther Metting and Frits Rosendaal gave NOS similar statements. "If you are vaccinated, you can still carry the virus and also transmit it to people who are vulnerable or unvaccinated. The only way to stop this virus is to detect infected people and isolate them in time to prevent them from infecting others," Metting said.

While Covid-19 testing at the GGD is decreasing, the use of self-tests is increasing. At least 60 percent of the people in the RIVM survey said they do a self-test if they have symptoms. But that is not enough, Roosendaal warned. "Self-tests are mainly suitable for at-the-door testing for people who do not have any coronavirus symptoms. If there are symptoms, there is a considerable risk that the result of a self-test will not be reliable enough. Always get tested at the GGD with a PCR-test."