Construction work underway for mass testing in Vienna – Coronavirus Vienna

Construction work for the corona mass tests in Vienna has started at full speed. Around 300 test lines will be installed at Stadthalle, Marxhalle and Messe Wien. The start will be on December 4, two days later than originally planned. Registration for this is possible from December 2. This was announced by the Councilor for Health of the City Council, Peter Hacker (SPÖ), this Sunday at a press meeting at the fair.

The large-scale tests will be carried out in the federal capital until December 13, with the Armed Forces being responsible. The Vienna Fire Brigade is establishing the necessary infrastructure. The capacity should be enough for around 150,000 tests per day, it said today. The operation is scheduled for ten hours a day, from 8 am to 6 pm

At the Messe Wien, where the presentation took place, Hall A is currently being converted into a Corona test center. The space is now reminiscent of a huge open-plan office in which groups of tables and armchairs were placed at great distances from each other. On Sunday afternoon the FFP2 masks were also handed out for the personnel and people to carry out the test.

In Vienna, a maximum of 60 percent of the population is supposed to take advantage of the offer. That would mean 1.2 million people will be tested. The capabilities have been aligned accordingly, Hacker emphasized. The fact that there are now two days less than expected should not create restrictions here.

Hacker announced that the electronic pre-registration system of the Ministry of Health should be available until December 2. Those interested must register on the platform. Carrying out such an action without registering is “unthinkable”, the department head was convinced: “There can only be chaos in front of the door.” Queues should be kept as small as possible. It may also be possible to register by phone.

176 test lines will be available at the fair, at Marxhalle 70 and at Stadthalle 40. Antigen testing will be carried out by the armed forces. If the result is positive, the Vienna health authorities carry out a PCR test immediately afterwards in the ward.

The hacker assumes that there will be a large number of false positives in rapid tests. That is why it is also possible to check the results. Hacker today praised the “constructive exchange” with the military, the Ministry of Health and the rescue organizations involved and the fire department. The city council reported that numerous volunteers had already volunteered to help.

Regarding disagreements in the run-up to the early Vienna Test date, he said “sponge.” This could be discussed later during a maneuvering review.

Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) chief of staff, Major General Rudolf Striedinger, announced that the army will send several thousand soldiers from across Austria to Vienna for the test. Work in Vienna is more intense than in other federal states, as much is organized there in individual communities.

“The armed forces will use whatever they have at their disposal,” Striedinger said. Every effort will be made to ensure that everything runs smoothly. But he also didn’t hide the fact that they had initially planned differently, starting with the teachers’ tests next weekend. When the countries of the West and Vienna announced that they wanted to start earlier, they adapted to the new situation.

Gerald Schimpf, head of operations for the crisis team at the Health Ministry, was confident that the digital registration system will be available from December 2. He described the specific sequence of events: At first, you have to log into the system and you have to enter personal data. A contact option must also be stored.

The appointment is then reserved. At the desired time, go to one of the three test centers. There identification cards are verified and a number is assigned. After taking a smear, you need to wait a moment for the result. If the result is negative, in principle the matter is resolved, even if it is just a snapshot, as Schimpf warned. Hygiene measures and distance rules must continue to be observed.

If the result is positive, they will move it to one of the PCR test lanes in the hall. A nasopharyngeal swab is not done again, but you can gargle. At this point, you will already have a quarantine notice. What it means: you have to go home immediately after the second test and wait there for the result of the PCR test. If this is also positive, the decision is confirmed.

Large testing facilities are by no means intended for one group of people, as Hacker emphasized in the APA conversation: People with symptoms should still call 1450 and not participate in the mass testing.

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