Laboratories are reaching their limits when it comes to PCR testing

Enlarge image

Prepared PCR tests in a laboratory: Prioritization of the tests planned

Photo: Julian Stratenschulte / dpa

The PCR test is considered the gold standard for detecting corona infection - and is therefore an important weapon in the fight against the containment of the pandemic.

However, according to an industry association, medical laboratories in Germany are increasingly approaching the limits of their capacity utilization during the crisis

“The high numbers of infections go hand in hand with a lot of tests.

Because there is currently hardly any priority in PCR tests, laboratories in Germany are increasingly reaching their capacity limits, ”said the chairman of the Association of Accredited Laboratories in Medicine, Michael Müller, of the“ Rheinische Post ”.

That is critical for sick people and hospitals.

Unprepared for the onslaught

"It is therefore imperative that medical practices and test centers in particular are encouraged to align themselves with the national test strategy," demanded Müller.

If capacities are tight, PCR tests would have to be carried out in accordance with the recommendations there.

"The fact that you can soon be freed from quarantine will inevitably lead to additional work for the laboratories."

In addition to the laboratories, Germany's largest medical association, the Marburger Bund, has already warned of bottlenecks in PCR tests.

Chairwoman Susanne Johna therefore called for a Plan B to shorten quarantine and isolation rules.

She suggested to the newspapers of the editorial network in Germany: "Two antigen tests in a row would be possible, with which one can test oneself free."

According to Müller from the Laborverband, there were no prognoses from the federal government or the federal states about "how many more tests we will have to adjust to."

"The laboratories will now have to face the onslaught largely unprepared."

On Tuesday, the association put the test capacity at 64 percent.

When discussing capacity bottlenecks, Müller said in a press release: "The workload in the laboratories is considerable, but I see no reason for too much concern." Rather, with increasing testing and limited testing capacities, it is more important to actually implement the test strategy.

Head of the Corona crisis team warns of bottlenecks

The head of the German government's Corona crisis team, Major General Carsten Breuer, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung: “As with all scarce resources, we will certainly have to bundle capacities where necessary.

This also applies to tests. "

As soon as it gets tight somewhere, priority must be given.

"Employees in the critical infrastructure have priority," he said.

The goal, however, is to maintain the previous test regime for as long as possible.

"We need the most accurate data possible to see how the wave affects us," said Breuer.

apr / dpa