Staff at the advance medical centre in Luxexpo on Wednesday 25 March. Patients with covid-19 symptoms who teleconsult with a doctor may be sent to one of the advance medical centres for further diagnosis. Luxembourg Government

Staff at the advance medical centre in Luxexpo on Wednesday 25 March. Patients with covid-19 symptoms who teleconsult with a doctor may be sent to one of the advance medical centres for further diagnosis. Luxembourg Government

Luxembourg’s teleconsulting platform has gone live. The eConsult website allows patients to select a doctor and get a diagnosis, either by audio or video link, on whether their symptoms are likely to require further treatment or medication, a home visit from a physician, or ask the patient to attend one of Luxembourg’s advanced medical centres.

At a press conference on Thursday morning, Dr. Pierre Hertz, coordinator of the advance medical centres, said that so far over 350 patients had been treated at the three facilities--in Luxexpo, the Rockhal and the Däichhal.

Upon arrival, patients suspected of being infected are separated from other patients. They are registered and given a general examination before being treated by a doctor and given medication of prescriptions or, in more serious cases, being transferred to hospital.

Meanwhile, the national social security centre, CNS, has also adapted its requirements to the coronavirus situation. CNS director Christian Oberlé explained on Thursday that doctors can now send prescriptions directly to a patient’s preferred pharmacy, where they can be collected after the patient, or someone collecting on their behalf, provides valid ID via their social security card. The same applies for medical testing laboratories, said Oberlé, who explained that “less formal” procedures were now required to help reduce the times people have to leave their home.

The CNS is also receiving copies of sick leave notes directly from doctors, so that employees who are written off only have to provide their employer with the valid copy and don’t have to worry about sending a form to the CNS.