For four weeks, Wartenberg has been testing diligently and quickly for the corona virus.
The test center at Thenner Straße 5 has proven itself.
“We are working to full capacity.
The demand is there, ”explains pharmacist Philipp Nötel, one of the organizers of the center.
Wartenberg - You cannot meet all the citizens' appointment requests and have already reacted to the onslaught: "We have doubled the appointment capacities and can now take someone on every two and a half minutes."
Due to the strong demand, the opening times have also been extended for the second time in order to enable more people to have a test offer.
It is now even possible to test in the mornings and afternoons three days a week.
At the start in March it was nine hours over four days, and it is now 19 hours over six days.
In the market town, the Weltrich'sche Apotheke (owner Stephanie Weltrich-Streit) and the Nikolai-Apotheke (Nötel) have teamed up and set up this center - with the help of the municipality, which provides the premises.
The test offer is free of charge for everyone who mainly resides in Germany or who are German.
Everyone can be tested once a week free of charge.
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The evaluation then takes place.
In the picture Lilly Heitmann is at work.
The tested citizens receive their results within 30 minutes of the smear test.
© Roland Albrecht
The response was generally positive, says Nötel.
“The people are grateful that they can have themselves tested on site and that they don't have to go to Erding, Landshut or Moosburg.” It is also clear that not everything “is pure sunshine”, says the owner of the Nikolai pharmacy.
“We cannot fulfill every wish, but we try to answer all questions and explain processes.” Weltrich-Streit adds: “We try to raise awareness.” People should familiarize themselves with the special situation in order to plan and make appointments in good time can.
"Last week everything was new, everything was different", emphasizes Weltrich-Streit and refers - after the federal emergency brake came into force - to the need for a PoC test ("Point of Care") before visiting the foot care or the hairdressing salon. Nötel: "About 50 percent of the discussions are currently about: I have an appointment with the hairdresser." The subject of cutting hair with compulsory testing causes a lot of uncertainty among citizens. "But here too we try to provide explanations."
This is one of the reasons why demand is currently very high. Weltricht-Streit recommends timely registration. Ideally, and both pharmacists explicitly point this out, the appointment should be booked via the website (www.testzentrum-wartenberg.de). "Everything digital makes our work easier," asks Nötel, above all to use this opportunity. “We do everything besides work. Our main task is still to ensure the supply of medicines. "
Of course, there are also residents who do not have a smartphone or the Internet, often older people: "For these, we are available by phone as a pharmacy," said the organizers. "We understand their uncertainty and try to help over the phone." Some are sent by the health department, for example when the quarantine comes to an end, to receive a control test. “But this also applies to young people who want to go back to school or back to their apprenticeship,” emphasizes the pharmacist. "Here, too, we try to help and do our utmost to accommodate everyone - using all our capacities."
Even a barrier-free or wheelchair-accessible implementation of the test acceptance is possible. "Everyone is welcome to contact us, preferably by phone in advance," asks the owner of the Weltrich'sche pharmacy. "Then we will be happy to carry out the test at a separate location."
The test center is available six days a week; it is only closed on Saturdays. The majority of the staff are provided by the two Wartenberg pharmacies, who alternate with working hours in the communal rooms that Johanniter, DLRG and refugee aid usually use. The Nikolai pharmacy team is on site Sunday to Tuesday and the Weltrich'schen Apotheke team from Wednesday to Friday - each with three employees. “We are always there half an hour in advance to prepare. All employees are tested themselves beforehand. None of us will stand in the premises untested, ”said the pharmacist.
FFP2 masks are mandatory for visitors from the age of 15 (between 6 and 14 years an everyday mask is sufficient).
There is not a large crowd in front of the entrance, "it works, everyone is very disciplined and keeps their distance," praised Nötel.
As a rule, there are no long waiting times “if everyone keeps their deadline”.
You have to register at the entrance.
The staff is available to compare the data, for example whether the e-mail address for the transmission of the test result is correct.
It is tested "symptomless".
Only those who appear without symptoms of illness such as shortness of breath, cough or fever can get a turn.
Otherwise you will be referred to the screening offices of the district in Erding or Dorfen.
In the PoC rapid test itself, a swab is taken from the front of the nose with a long cotton swab and then evaluated. If a smear in the nose is not possible, a deep throat swab will be taken. The employees do this under full protection. “Everyone is trained. The smear is only taken by certified pharmacy staff, ”says Nötel. And after the smear? “Most of those tested go home, some wait for the result on site,” says Nötel. In this case, they would stay in a waiting area at the exit until they received the certified certificate on a window. This is available within 30 minutes.
The rapid antigen test “is always a snapshot,” explains Nötel.
There is no such thing as 100 percent security.
The vast majority of those tested have so far been negative, explains Nötel.
The result was only positive for two to three percent.
With 60 to 80 tests per day, that would mean one or two people affected.
You will be sent to the nearest screening center.
The positive result is also reported to the health department.
The two pharmacies in Wartenberg are happy to serve the population.
And they are rewarded for it in a nice way: "Some bring chocolate, others just have a smile on their face", Weltrich-Streit, Nötel and their employees are happy about such attentions.
"It gives us all the feeling that we are doing our part to get through the pandemic together."
The new opening times
Monday: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m., Tuesday: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. - 6.30 p.m., Thursday: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. - 6.30 p.m., Friday: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday : 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.