[ad_1]
“He probably won’t stick with a test weekend,” says Tyrolean Governor Platter. In the future he favors a “double strategy”: PCR tests and additional antigen tests. You have to define the “target groups”.
Governor Günther Platter (ÖVP) and “Tirol Testing” project manager Elmar Rizzoli presented the preliminary results of the massive tests at a press conference on Sunday evening. 32.05 percent of all Tyrolese eligible for the test participated, 620 of the total of 220,713 antigen tests performed were positive (0.28 percent). Platter said more tests won’t last with just one test weekend.
He advocates a “dual strategy.” In any case, there will be no zip lining “going it alone”, but expect a test strategy coordinated with the federal government, Platter said at the press conference at the field house. Lessons must now be drawn from the massive nationwide testing. In any case, he advocates a “dual strategy,” said the Tyrolean governor, and considers antigen tests useful in screening out people who do not have symptoms. “Hundreds of infected people were identified in this test weekend, thus avoiding thousands of infections and breaking chains of contagion,” said the country manager, contextualizing the figures. The fact that the proportion of infected people is only 0.28 percent shows: “The blockade is working.” I wanted to leave the exact assessment of the proportion of those who tested positive to the experts, “if these are available, I am in favor of decisions being made.”
“Depends on expectations”
Contrary to critical voices from the opposition and some Tyrolean municipalities, Platter was also satisfied with the turnout, which at 32.05 percent was lower than expected by some politicians. “It always depends on expectations,” Platter said. A total of 688,680 people in the state were summoned to take the test. In any case, in the future we must think about “how can we reach those who did not pass the test this time, especially people of migratory origin and young people”.
Like Platter, project manager Elmar Rizzoli also spoke of the smooth process: “Great things have been accomplished, no need to rework. His thanks to the municipalities, mayors, volunteers and blue light organizations, Rizzoli said at the news conference Sunday night. The Tyrolese were also shown to be “very disciplined”: “Almost everyone who tested positive took the PCR test the same day.”
LH Deputy Ingrid Felipe also happily pointed out in a transmission that “around 600 positive carriers of the virus could be identified and thus many more infections could be prevented.” However, he reminded citizens, the virus is still “in too high a concentration among us.” Now one must “not act recklessly”. “We must not bet that now,” Platter asked the population to be careful, especially during the holidays.
FPÖ harshly criticizes the state and federal government
The highest tones came from the FPÖ Tyrolean. “Total black-green failure in the management of the crown at the state and federal level,” said the leader of the Tyrolean state party FPÖ Markus Abwerzger in a broadcast. The low level of participation shows the lack of trust of citizens in politics. This is due, among other things, to “the numerous measures for the corona pandemic, such as exit restrictions, contact bans and the mass fear policy.” The small number of those who tested positive shows “that the coronavirus is not a massive disease,” Abwerzger concluded. He also questioned whether the money invested in mass testing should not have been better spent on protective equipment for medical personnel and repeated his call for more protection and testing, especially for vulnerable people and healthcare workers.
The reason why participation remained below expectations also needs to be analyzed in detail from the perspective of Green Club President Gebi Mair. Mair chose more sensible words: “I am against blaming the weather, St. Nicholas or the federal government.” He expects another massive test in January if the numbers don’t drop significantly. Until then, one should “find out in peace” why many citizens have not “seized this opportunity” this time. “The future rapid test strategy will also have to be discussed,” Mair added.
On Monday, the governors would consult with the federal government and learn the first lessons from the previous test weekend, Platter reported. He was curious about the differences between the federal states, he said.
(WHAT)
