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COVID-19 Information

Below are most of the updated answers, tips and links related to Covid.

The Magellan centers rigorously apply the recommended health measures in order to allow you access to health care in complete safety.

 

Serologies

According to the recommendations updated on 28.5.2021, a positive serology is also accepted as proof of a past infection and therefore of administration of only one dose of vaccine.  However, antibody testing is not recommended or reimbursed prior to vaccination for either the first or second dose.

A serology test (at your own expense) can therefore be potentially useful if you do not wish to take a second dose, notably because of the side effects, and wish to know if you have had the disease in the past without knowing it.

However, not all laboratories are able to differentiate between a positive serology due to the 1st vaccination or due to a previous Covid.
Our partner laboratory is not able to make this distinction.
To our knowledge, Dianalabs makes this distinction (Geneva: online appointment, Nyon: phone 021 804 92 50).

If you wish to do such a serology, please note that :

  • a prescription is not necessary because this laboratory is not reimbursed by the health insurance
    a medical visit is not necessary because all the information is already on this page.

3rd dose?

According to this information from the FOPH, a 3rd dose should be administered to patients with severe immunosuppression AND whose serology does not show satisfactory antibodies 4 weeks after the 2nd vaccination. If you are one of the patients who have immunosuppression criteria as mentioned in the text or if you have any doubts, please contact your treating physician so that he/she can evaluate the relevance of organizing a serology. In this context only, the costs of serology are covered by the Confederation.

Do you have to do a screening test (smear) ?

  • Self-assess on OFSP’s “Coronacheck“
  • If you have any criteria, contact your doctor or one of the official testing centers or laboratory even if you have been vaccinated (contagion by new variants?):
  • If you have criteria:
  • Magellan is not a screening center; our priority is to ensure the continuity of essential care for our patients in complete safety.
  • Note that Magellan currently only performs PCR (smear) tests and not rapid antigenic tests.
  • While waiting for the test result,
    • consider yourself potentially positive and immediately apply the isolation guidelines below.
    • list the people you have been in close contact with during the past 48 hours
  • Read OFSP page “What to do in the event of symptoms of the disease“

Serologies

According to the recommendations updated on 28.5.2021, a positive serology is also accepted as proof of a past infection and therefore administration of a single dose of vaccine.  However, antibody testing is not recommended or reimbursed prior to vaccination for either the first or second dose.

A serology test (at your own expense) can therefore be potentially useful if you do not wish to take a second dose, notably because of the side effects, and wish to know if you have had the disease in the past without knowing it.

However, not all laboratories are able to differentiate between a positive serology due to the 1st vaccination or due to a previous Covid.
Our partner laboratory is not able to make this distinction.
To our knowledge, Dianalabs makes this distinction (Geneva: online appointment, Nyon: Tel. 021 804 92 50

  • Magellan does not do rapid antigenic testing.
  • With few exceptions, Magellan does not perform PCR testing for travel. We invite travelers to get tested in specific centers:
  • The Department of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine of the HUG provides a list updated weekly of entry requirements for most countries in the world. This document allows you to see at a glance :
    • the level of requirements of the countries,
    • the existence of alternatives to screening
    • the recommendation of a travel medicine consultation.
  • The rapid self-test is not valid for travel (a PCR or a rapid antigen test by a professional is required)
  • Travel quarantine is lifted (see chapter below for quarantine):
    • for persons who can provide proof that they have already contracted SARS-CoV-2 within the 6 months prior to entering Switzerland and are considered cured.
    • in case of a negative test after the 7th day and after receipt of the result by the cantonal physician’s office; in this case, the costs are to be paid by the person.

FOPH information for travellers and quarantine

You are not sick but you have returned from a region at risk or have received a quarantine from the authorities or the cantonal doctor because you have been in colse contact with a Covid + person.

  • Early lifting of the quarantine at 7 days
    For quarantined contacts
    Contacts who have been placed in quarantine can be released from quarantine if a rapid antigen test or PCR test performed on the 7th day of the quarantine is
    negative and after receipt of the result by the cantonal doctor’s service. If the test result is positive, the person should immediately go into isolation.
    The Confederation covers the costs of these tests for the contact persons who have received a notification from the cantonal doctor inviting them to carry out this test.
    For travelers
    The lifting of a quarantine is also authorized in the event of a negative test carried out from the 7th day and after receipt of the result by the cantonal doctor’s service; the costs are, in this case, the responsibility of the person.

  • Only the competent authority or the cantonal doctor are empowered to pronounce a quarantine and to provide you with a certificate for the loss of earnings.
  • Quarantine is not a sick leave. Teleworking may be required by the employer.
  • The positive person must announce the people who live under the same roof, these people will receive a quarantine decision allowing them to touch the APG. However, the service dealing with these procedures is currently behind schedule due to the large number of positive cases.
    For asymptomatic members of a family (or community living together) – incl. children under 12 years of age – for each person who was close to the covid + patient:

    • In Geneva: the end of the quarantine takes place at the same time as the lifting of the isolation as long as the people are asymptomatic.
    • In Vaud: they must begin 10 days of quarantine after the last day of contact with the isolation patient in isolation.
  • OFSP instructions on quarantine (other languages)
  • Covicoach: tips for managing daily life
  • If you have symptoms, get tested (see above)

You have a positive smear (even with few or no symptoms).

  • You must stay in isolation for at least 10 days AND have at least 48 hours without symptoms
  • The result of the positive test serves as a medical certificate.
  • OFSP isolation instructions (other languages)
  • Covicoach: tips for managing daily life
  • Your close contacts are in quarantine for a period of 10 days from the last contact with you
  • If symptoms worsen, don’t wait to seek medical help!
  • If you are still symptomatic after 10 days, see your doctor for an assessment of your health and possible prolongation of your isolation.

From April 7, the Confederation allows each citizen (including children) to obtain 5 free Covid self-tests per month via approved pharmacies by presenting his insurance card (see RTS information).
The procedure is explained on this page of the FOPH with here what to do depending on the result. The result of a negative test is valid for 24 hours. After this period, a new test can be performed.

CAUTION:

  • Valid only if:
    • you are asymptomatic (so not valid if you have a sore throat and want to know if you can come to work)
    • you have not been in contact with a confirmed Covid case
  • If the test is positive, it must be confirmed by a PCR test
  • Not valid for visiting a vulnerable person (a PCR is required)
  • Not valid for travel (a PCR is required)

Other Services

Services for professionals

Radiological request (Servette / Versoix)

Prescription of care

Make an appointment online.

Urgent appointment of general medicine

Charmilles Medical Center

Gland Medical Center

Grand-Saconnex Medical Center

Opale Medical Center

Renens Medical Center

Rue de Lausanne Medical Center

Servette Medical Center

Vevey Medical Centre