Up until now, elementary school students had to use a "nose drill" self-test to check whether they were infected with the coronavirus twice a week.
The procedure is expected to change in the district on September 20.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - PCR pool tests are expected to provide clarity from the second week of school. The school councilors Petra Burkhardt and Ute Hübner explained at a press conference in the district office how it should actually work. In the future, the day will start like this: The children suck on a swab for about 30 seconds - just like a lollipop. Then put all swabs in the same pool tube. The samples are mixed in the process. Unlike rapid tests, these lollipop tests are not antigen tests, but rather complex PCR tests. This makes it much more reliable to determine whether a corona infection is present - or not. In addition to the pool sample, individual samples are also taken. These samples come in a tube that is barcoded. Each sample can thus be assigned to a specific student.They are then brought to the two Upper Bavarian laboratories in Ingolstadt and Munich for examination. The evaluation will be done by the evening. "If all tests are negative, all teachers, parents and students can enjoy a quiet night," says Burkhardt. The transport of the saliva samples in particular means "an insane logistical effort:" The samples would have to be brought from all over Upper Bavaria to the two laboratories - and very closely timed. ""The samples would have to be brought from all over Upper Bavaria to the two laboratories - and very closely timed.""The samples would have to be brought from all over Upper Bavaria to the two laboratories - and very closely timed."
Lollipop test replaces nose bur test
If the pool test turns out positive, the investigations will continue. Now the contents of the individual tubes are carefully examined. The laboratory has to clarify which students have been infected with the coronavirus. The parents concerned receive an email at 6 a.m. that they are not allowed to send their child to school. The school is also informed. All information comes together in a school administration program. "All data protection issues have been clarified," emphasizes Burkhardt. “The parents can be informed.” If a test is positive, the health department intervenes. The employees would look at each case individually, says Burkhardt. With the help of the teacher, they identify the infected child's bank neighbors. They also clarify whether there could be other people affected - for example,because the infected child participated in group work.
Health department should decide on quarantine
When all the facts are on the table, the health department will decide which students need to be in quarantine - and which not. It is also assessed whether an air filter is in use in the classroom, says the school councilor. She emphasizes: “Air filters are not the only criterion, they are only included in the evaluation. So you can't say: no air filter - quarantine. Air filters in use - no quarantine. ”The health department takes a lot of time to discuss the situation with those involved, says Burkhardt. "Very good work has been done in the past." Whole classes have not been quarantined for a long time. “Normally only the neighbors and close contacts.“In contrast to this, not too much will change for the children and adolescents in secondary schools in the next school year - apart from the fact that in future they will have to test themselves three instead of twice a week. “That has become established,” says Burkhardt. "We have received feedback from all schools that this is not a problem - not even for the little ones."
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