Salivary test at school: the start of the “Mattioli” in Siena
SIENA. The salivary test campaign promoted by the Tuscany Region in the so-called ‘sentinel schools’ on the basis of the National Plan of the Higher Institute of Health began yesterday morning at the “PA Mattioli” secondary school in Siena. The health workers of the South East Tuscany ASL went to nine classes of the institute where they subjected about 180 students to the salivary test.
The test will be repeated every fifteen days, to monitor the progress of any infections and keep the situation among the boys under control, who in recent days have been able to prepare for the appointment thanks to a video that illustrates the procedure for carrying out the operation.
“This is a highly reliable test – explained Roberto Turillazzi, director of the health management staff of the South East Tuscany ASL – which aims to prevent and reduce the onset of outbreaks within the school population and consequence at the family level. In this first phase our operators will accompany this path, then the children will be able to carry out the test by themselves, the ease of which will make them absolutely suitable for a screening like this. The project will go ahead with the involvement of another school at the level of each province ”.
Federico Frati, director of the comprehensive “PA Mattioli” institute in Siena stated: “Our institute was involved as a ‘sentinel school’ and it seemed natural to us to accept this task. In fact, all schools in recent months have tried to find awareness and a sense of responsibility among students and families, monitoring the dangers of the virus on a daily basis. In this specific case I explained to the boys that they could have an enemy to ‘spot the enemy’ by agreeing to make a small gesture in everyone’s interest. Indeed, they will make it easier to learn more about this phase of the pandemic by providing the data needed by the scientific community and policy makers. The first time someone was even excited by the novelty and the importance of the task he was carrying out. Others faced the experience with curiosity and fun, finding the strangest terms to describe the flavor of the sponge … I also thank their parents who have grasped the importance of the initiative by joining the monitoring with a very high percentage of 84% “.
The National Plan of the Higher Institute of Health provides for the start of the test with a “gradual character”, to fine-tune the organizational and logistical system without interfering with the regular start of teaching activities.
The regional project is the result of a joint work between the health and education departments, with their technical structures, the regional school office, the local health authorities.