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224.776 Tirolerinnen und Tiroler haben an den Massentests am Wochenende teilgenommen. Eine Wiederholung steht im Raum.
© Foto Rudy De Moor
Innsbruck – What’s next after antigen mass testing in the federal states? The country’s representatives discussed this with Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) yesterday. Green Lieutenant Governor Ingrid Felipe and her ÖVP counterpart Josef Geisler participated in the video conference for Tyrol. Both the future procedure and the date are not yet clear. Kurz had previously announced that this should be cleared up this week.
However, it is questionable whether that will be the case. “In principle, the point is to incorporate the experience of the other federal states into the decision-making process,” emphasizes Josef Geisler.
There is also the question of how best to reach specific population groups, including young people or people with a migrant background. Geisler: “That has to be our goal.” The second weekend of January from January 8 to 10 has been considered the date for more tests.
Additional “essential” tests
It may make more sense to consistently test target groups or regions with a higher number of corona cases to achieve a higher test rate, says Ingrid Felipe. “Now we have to weigh all the possibilities.” Other tests are absolutely essential, “because only then do antigen tests make sense.”
As is well known, only a third of the population of Tyrol took part in the massive tests last weekend. The Reutte and Innsbruck-Land districts have the best test rates, with participation even exceeding 45 percent in individual municipalities.
One third of the 620 originally positive test results were found to be false after PCR testing, but corona infection was confirmed in nearly 400 tests. “The fact that every positive result of a rapid antigen test is verified by a PCR test was a correct and important procedure,” explains the head of the state Corona working group and head of “Tyrol tests”, Elmar Rizzoli.
Auch die Polizei wird getestet: 4864 der 39.000 Mitarbeiter des Innenressorts ließen sich am Montag bereits testen.
© LPD STEIERMARK
Yesterday the test results of individual public institutions in Tyrol were reported: there were 3000 in the Tyrol Clinics, 27 gave a positive result. More than 140 smears were taken in care centers for the disabled, all were negative. And out of 760 proven members of the Austrian Armed Forces, four had been infected with Corona.
By the way, the state puts the cost of antigen testing nationwide at eight million euros. At the moment, the state government assumes the costs incurred by the municipalities for the necessary personnel (doctors, members of the health professions, administrative personnel, etc.). For this, six million euros are contracted in new loans.
But not only the communities had expenses, also the state medical direction. Two million euros had to be spent on forms and test stations, technical equipment, mobile test stations, waste disposal and personal protective equipment. However, the state will claim the costs from the federal government. (pn)
