FLORENCE, ITALY – The restart of the activities requires a certificate of negativity to COVID 19. Some people have already completed the vaccination and can travel and participate in conferences freely, for the others the certificate of negativity to covid 19 is essential.
In Florence and in Tuscany there are various places where you can do the molecular, serological or rapid test. Here are the differences among the various tests and the list of the main places where you can do it.
Molecular test
A sample is taken from the patient’s respiratory tract, preferably from the oral and nasopharyngeal mucosa, with a long stick similar to a cotton-tip, searching for viral RNA. It is used for the diagnosis of virus infection and has the highest sensitivity among the diagnostic tests. The result is usually available within 24-48 hours.
Antigen test
It is a nasopharyngeal test for the detection of antigens. There are currently two types.
- Semi-rapid have a sensitivity almost comparable to those of the molecular test. If the confirmation of the result is required, the laboratory can perform the molecular test on the same sample.
- Rapid antigenic test is mainly used for screening purposes with short analysis times (about 15-20 minutes), the sensitivity are lower than those of the molecular and semi-rapid test.
Serological test
The examination involves taking drops of blood (from the finger) or in a venous sampling. It aims to check for the presence of antibodies in the blood, but is unable to confirm or not if the infection is in progress.The result is usually available within 15-20 minutes for finger tests or within 24-48 hours for venous sampling.
Here are the places where you can do a test
Misericordia di Firenze
At the clinics of the Misericordia di Firenze in via del Sansovino 176 (in the location specifically dedicated to the outside) it is possible to carry out COVID-19 molecular test even privately or without a prescription. Molecular tests are performed from Monday to Saturday 7.30-12.30 upon reservation, by calling the call center (+39055212221), the Synab call center (+390554211617), or on the Misericordia website. It is also possible to have the certificate in English for international use.
Pharmacies in Florence
Almost all pharmacies in Florence is possible to run a serological or rapid tests, but not molecular tests. In the center of Florence, the service is available in the pharmacies of Borgo Ognissanti 44/48R, via degli Artisti 1/A, via Calzaiuoli 7/R, via Ghibellina 87/R, via de ‘Conti 20 /R. The service is also available in the municipalities of the metropolitan city of Florence such as Scandicci, Sesto Fiorentino, Mugello and Chianti. Each pharmacy has different hours and booking systems. It is advisable to consult the official list of pharmacies with active service, prepared by the Tuscany Region and contact them directly.
Red Cross
At the Florence Santa Maria Novella station anyone can do a rapid covid test, without any cost, reservation or medical prescription thanks the Italian Red Cross. No antigenic or molecular tests are performed. The health point is open every day from 8 to 20. Access to the facility is not allowed if you have symptoms such as fever, cough or breathing difficulties or if you have been in close contact with a person with Covid-19.
Other facilities in Tuscany
It is possible to take a Covid19 tests throughout the region. In Florence, other places are the Fanfani private health facility in piazza Indipendenza 18/B and Prosperius in via San Domenico 87 (antigen test only), in Prato it is possible to go to the LILT in via Catani 26/3, in Pistoia at the Misericordia in via Bonellina 1, in Siena in Vismederi in Strada Petriccio and Belriguardo, 35. The Tuscany Region has prepare a list of 61 facilities where it is possible to carry out tests.
At the supermarkets
In all Coop.Fi supermarkets it is possible to buy the rapid antigenic Covid 19 self-diagnostic kit. Unicoop Firenze currently has 104 stores Coop.Fi in Tuscany.
The kit on sale in the supermarket at the price of 5 Euros is a nasal swab completely similar to the one carried out in the pharmacy or in the special centers set up in the area.
Post updated on May 28, 2021
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