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PCR test strategy: Vienna shows Germany how to do it - "can't do magic either"

2022-01-25T17:15:26.210Z


PCR test strategy: Vienna shows Germany how to do it - "can't do magic either" Created: 01/25/2022, 18:07 By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi In terms of success with PCR tests, Germany is well behind Vienna. © Frank Hoermann/imago The PCR test capacities in Germany are running out. In contrast, things are looking much better in the Austrian capital. Vienna provides an example of success. Vienna/Munich –


PCR test strategy: Vienna shows Germany how to do it - "can't do magic either"

Created: 01/25/2022, 18:07

By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi

In terms of success with PCR tests, Germany is well behind Vienna.

© Frank Hoermann/imago

The PCR test capacities in Germany are running out.

In contrast, things are looking much better in the Austrian capital.

Vienna provides an example of success.

Vienna/Munich – Germany is currently facing a major PCR test problem in the midst of another peak phase of the deadly corona virus.

It is precisely this high phase with the highly contagious omicron mutant that leads to this problem.

More infections mean more people who need to be tested to detect infection and more contacts who need to test their way out of quarantine.

However, a neighbor shows Germany how to do it - with great success.

In the Austrian capital Vienna, the PCR test campaign is going much better with a significantly higher capacity.

Corona pandemic: Germany is struggling with bottlenecks in PCR tests - Vienna is much better positioned

In the Prime Ministers' Conference (MPK) on Tuesday

(January 24)

, the bottleneck in PCR tests was discussed again. Ever since the bottleneck began, many have advocated prioritizing PCR tests. The federal-state summit now shared this opinion. The PCR tests, which are only available to a limited extent, should be restricted to vulnerable groups and employees who care for and treat them. The rest should resort to antigen tests.

According to the laboratory association ALM, the average laboratory utilization in Germany is around 95 percent.

A maximum of 2.5 million tests per week are possible here, although capacity has already been increased significantly in recent weeks.

Nevertheless, problems are encountered.

A lack of staff to operate the devices is the biggest problem, a spokesman for ALM told

ntv

.

In contrast to Germany, the term "bottleneck" is completely foreign to the laboratories in Vienna.

Here the process with PCR tests is very successful.

The population can look forward to a maximum of 800,000 free PCR tests a day - a number that Germany can only dream of so far.

The city has long since developed into a pioneer for PCR tests.

Corona pandemic: Vienna with a successful strategy for PCR tests - almost a million capacity a day

If accuracy is important when determining a corona infection, then a PCR test is essential.

Rapid tests are less trustworthy at this point.

"We do about 302,000 PCR tests a day," says Mario Dujakovic, spokesman for Vienna's City Health Council, the

ntv

.

The ALM in Germany rejects a comparison with the figures from Austria.

According to Dujakovic, however, a comparison is certainly possible.

He could be right about that, because the capacities in Vienna did not appear out of nowhere.

The maximum of 800,000 tests a day is the result of almost two years of strategy, explains the spokesman and adds resolutely: "We can't do magic either." Very early on, Austria left the path of rapid tests still being pursued by Germany and preferred it focused on the more reliable PCR tests.

Only a small fraction of the tests are now rapid antigen tests: there are only around five to ten thousand a day.

Capacities have been steadily increased over the course of the pandemic.

In March 2021 there were still 250,000 PRC tests per day, today it is more than three times as much.

In order to achieve this, Vienna emerged cleverly.

The concept of so-called "pool testing" was developed.

Ten samples are examined at the same time and a negative decision is issued to all persons if the joint examination produces a negative result.

The tests are only examined individually if the result is positive.

Corona PCR tests: Vienna increases capacity thanks to gargle test - remuneration problem in Germany

The foundation for the test strategy in Vienna was laid back in February 2021: with the “Alles Gurgelt!” program.

These are so-called PCR gargle tests, which do not require medical staff and were developed in May 2020.

Strictly speaking, it is a PCR self-test.

This gargle test is available free of charge in numerous supermarkets and petrol stations.

The testing process is pretty easy.

Gargle with a saline solution.

However, this is done in front of a camera in order to be able to prove that the gargling actually took place.

The test is then taken back to the supermarket or gas station.

The result will be available in 24 hours.

The country is satisfied with the special test.

Without medical staff, easy processing at home and a reliable result.

The strategy in Vienna allows test capacities to be increased significantly, while Germany lags behind and is struggling with bottlenecks.

One problem in Germany is the low remuneration for PCR tests.

The point-of-care PCR tests in particular show this.

These are machines that can deliver results within a quarter of an hour.

You don't need medical staff, but the purchase is expensive at around 15,000 euros.

After the most recent adjustment, the federal government will no longer reimburse a provider of POC-PCR tests 43.56 but 30 euros per test.

"How can it be that on the one hand the PCR tests have to be prioritized, on the other hand the remuneration is reduced so that it does not even cover the expenses?" Tübingen doctor Lisa Federle criticized

sharply in

relation to the

picture

.

Apparently, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) is aware of the problem.

He wants to pay better for the tests again and is hoping for an additional offer.

(bb)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-01-25

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