More omicron cases in Brandenburg: Laboratories are well utilized

Created: 01/16/2022Updated: 01/16/2022 15:29

A PCR test is prepared for analysis for mutations in the coronavirus.

© Sebastian Gollnow/dpa/symbol picture

The omicron virus variant is increasing in Brandenburg.

At the same time, PCR tests are in greater demand.

Large laboratories still have capacity, but are also preparing for more samples.

Potsdam – The number of omicron cases in Brandenburg has increased significantly in the past few days. The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that 3,247 cases of the coronavirus variant had been counted by Friday. Among them are 521 cases that were detected with whole genome sequencing and 2726 suspected cases that were determined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Most of the proven omicron cases have so far been in the district of Teltow-Fläming (151). At the beginning of January, 344 cases were counted nationwide via sequencing and PCR. Omikron has been dominant in Brandenburg since around the turn of the year. It spreads faster than the previously dominant Delta variant.

The demand for PCR tests is increasing. Large laboratories in Brandenburg can still cope with the growing number, but expect problems if there is a sharp increase. "At the moment we can easily meet the requirements of our practices, which send us corona samples," said the head of the Potsdam laboratory of the Institute for Medical Diagnostics (IMD), Anja Kleiber-Imbeck, of the German Press Agency. But if the number of corona samples increases significantly, it will be difficult. The laboratory has a capacity of up to 1100 corona PCR tests per day. Among other things, the PCR tests are to be ensured with a supply of reagents and swabs.

The joint laboratory Cottbus MVZ with six locations in the south has been technically upgraded and, according to director Karsten Mydlak, can process up to 12,000 PCR tests a week. "We're between 65 and 70 percent of capacity," he said. Other federal states are more affected by Omikron. However, the specialist in laboratory medicine is preparing for increasing numbers. "But let's not kid ourselves, it's a snapshot. Why should it stay like this in a less vaccinated South?” Mydlak said.

The quarantine is to be shortened according to a federal-state agreement, also so that hospitals have enough staff despite an omicron wave. Contact persons no longer have to be in quarantine if they have had a booster vaccination, have been vaccinated twice for less than three months, have been vaccinated and recovered or have recovered for less than three months. For everyone else, isolation or quarantine should usually end after ten days. After seven days you can test yourself free with a PCR or antigen test, employees in hospitals and nursing homes only with a PCR test and without symptoms for at least 48 hours. The health authorities are responsible for implementation. So far, a strict 14-day quarantine has applied to contact persons of a person infected with Omikron.

The seven-day incidence - the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days - rose to 573.2 in Brandenburg, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday.

Potsdam has the highest value with 874.7.

There were no new values ​​for the situation in hospitals, the situation had recently eased somewhat.

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From Monday, the people of Brandenburg will have to observe stricter corona rules with 2G plus in restaurants.

Anyone who has been vaccinated and recovered then needs a daily negative test without a booster vaccination.

Children under the age of 6 do not need proof.

Anyone under the age of 18 needs proof of full vaccination, but then no test or booster vaccination.

FFP2 masks will be compulsory in local public transport from Monday.

The obligation to wear FFP2 masks and surgical masks has been extended: Previously, they could be removed indoors, for example in cinemas, theaters and during court hearings, if there was a distance of at least one meter to the next seat, this is no longer the case.

The 2G-plus rule will be suspended after a compromise with the CDU if the seven-day incidence of new hospital patients with Covid-19 remains below 6 nationwide for a week - then the warning light is on yellow - and the proportion of intensive care beds with Covid -19 patients is below 10 percent at the same time - when the traffic light is green.

So far this has not been the case.

dpa