Corona tests for travelers returning: Problems also in Rhineland-Palatinate

Red Cross employees test travelers near the Luxembourg border

RONALD WITTEK / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

Delays in the transmission of corona test results are once again known. As reported by ZDF and dpa, the health department in Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, is currently unable to keep up with the notification of those tested. It was difficult to publish all negative results promptly, said the head of the health department for Trier and Trier-Saarburg, Harald Michels, on Saturday. In all positive cases, those affected were informed immediately.

On Saturday, the staff had already been increased, reported the head of the office. "Today it's our turn with at least eight people, and on Monday it's our turn with even more people. Then it will be dealt with quickly." Due to the abundance of tests, there is a delay in work.

German reporting under criticism

"It's not because of our good will, it's simply because of the structure: That still has to be done with paper," emphasized Michels. It is not "up to us as the health department", but the federal government is responsible for it. It is urgently necessary that the German electronic reporting and information system "be brought up to date so that it works".

By Friday evening, 4545 tests had been completed on returning travelers at the station at a motorway rest area near Trier. There were five positive cases by Friday noon. Many returning holidaymakers to Spain come across the border from Luxembourg.

In Bavaria, drastic delays in the notification of those tested became known on Wednesday - even in positive cases. 44,000 returnees from trips abroad were waiting for their results - as of Wednesday - after tests on the highways. According to the first information provided by the Bavarian Health Minister Melanie Huml (CSU), 900 people were demonstrably positive. On Thursday she spoke of more than 1000.

Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU), who had advanced nationwide to set up the motorway test stations, apologized for the breakdown on Thursday. Huml, who had twice offered to resign, he left in office and expressed his confidence in her. Andreas Zapf, however, was replaced as head of the State Office for Health and Food Safety and transferred to the ministry.

ply / dpa