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In preparation for mass testing before Christmas, free testing is also conducted on the population of selected communities with high incidence values in the first week of December. A second series of massive tests are planned across the country early in the new year, the government announced Friday.
All nursing staff in nursing homes and clinics are now required to be tested weekly. This does not include certain occupations in social services, such as meals on wheels. These groups will be expanded in the first pilot round.
Education Minister Heinz Faßmann is pleased that the beginning is with teachers. “With the mass testing planned, we can protect the health of our teachers while at the same time starting a safe school operation after closure,” he explains.
Chief Teacher Representative Paul Kimberger is also open to mass volunteer testing for educators the weekend before the school’s planned opening. “Basically, I think that the offer to be tested voluntarily is positive,” the president of the ARGE professors at the GÖD told the APA. “That gives more security.” However, there are still talks over the next week about how the organization and logistics should work. “Everything is still largely open.
I bought seven million tests
Seven million rapid antigen tests have already been ordered and new orders are being planned. The costs of the first seven million tests amount to 50 million euros. Roche tests (four million tests) and Siemens (three million tests) are used. Sampling should only be done by trained health personnel. The result is available after about 15 minutes.
The Ministry of Defense will be in charge of managing the tests logistically and organizationally. Paramedics are also called in to perform the tests. In total, the Armed Forces will support the execution of the massive tests with several thousand soldiers. The armed forces are responsible for the division of personnel.
In addition to the armed forces, health authorities, blue light organizations, fire brigades and volunteers will be deployed to carry out the tests nationwide, according to the federal government.
The Ministry of Health, in close coordination with health authorities at the state and district levels, will provide support with broad medical and epidemiological expertise and will guarantee the necessary health authority processes in the context of mass testing.
