Corona rapid test in use for the first time at the Austria Center Vienna

The new semester at the Vienna University of Economics and Business begins with a new rapid test for Covid-19. Each individual is examined for possible infection in eleven test lanes in front of the Austria Center Vienna.

The result can be seen after just 15 minutes. Without a negative test, there would be no access to the conference room, it was said when the concept was unveiled on Wednesday.

“We were looking for a solution so that events could happen again,” said Susanne Baumann-Söllner, director of the Austria Center Vienna. There the corresponding introductory conferences will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays with a total of about 3,000 people. As the largest congress center, one has a duty to act as a pioneer here. That’s perfect for WU. “We want to give our first semester students a feeling outside of online events in a direct event,” said WU Chancellor Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger.

The price of the new test procedure is currently around 15 euros. “In total, the test costs between 20 and 22 euros if personnel costs are also included,” said Baumann-Söllner. In the future, however, the price will drop significantly. Also, the test is more secure than all previous rapid tests on the market.

According to the manufacturer, more than 99.9 percent of a person with a negative test result is actually negative. A positive test means that about 97.56 percent of the person is actually infected with SARS-CoV-2. “Positive test results are verified using a laboratory test so you have a two-step plan,” said Thomas Lachmann, managing director of Alpstar, the rapid test sales partner in Austria.

Here’s how the test works: Each student is given a tube with a solution. Next, a healthcare professional will take a throat swab. The person doing the test then places the dipstick in the tube and shakes it several times. After five acoustic gongs, two drops of the solution are placed in a test cassette. Finally, you just have to wait for discoloration, so a line means a negative result and you can enter the conference room.

In any case, Vienna Tourism hopes that the pilot project will have positive consequences for the events industry. “We are grateful for every step that makes possible again the events that are so important for the city’s tourism and shows that we are preparing for the time after Covid-19,” Director Norbert Kettner said in a broadcast: “Medium On the horizon, rapid tests in operation may be part of the solution that will help revive the conference industry. At least 12 major congresses are already planned in Vienna in 2021, 10 of them starting in June. “

Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) also sees opportunities in the rapid test procedure: “I welcome any initiative that increases security for Austria as the venue for a congress. This pilot project for rapid tests can make a contribution. important to this. “

The criticism comes from FPÖ’s scientific spokesperson, Martin Graf. “Some steps need to be carried out by the participating students themselves. It is more than questionable whether this is a high-quality test,” he said in a broadcast.