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Gargle PCR tests for all Viennese
The PCR tests are free of charge and can be performed at home. Samples can now be dropped off at all Rewe locations.
“Alles gurgelt” in Vienna is not open to all
The pilot project was launched at the end of January. In the meantime, 5,500 participating companies with more than 330,000 employees have already signed up. Now the city and the Vienna Chamber of Commerce have rolled out the test offer further. For this purpose, the capacities of the laboratory partner Lifebrain and the levy network have been massively expanded, it was said at the presentation on Friday.
Pick-up of PCR tests in Bipa stores
The test kits of the manufacturer Lead Horizion can still be picked up in one of the 152 BIPA stores. After the test has been completed, it can now be dropped off at any of the more than 620 Rewe locations throughout Vienna – i.e. at Billa, Merkur, Bipa, Penny or even gas stations with REWE stores. The latter are also available on Sundays.
How the Corona test works
The throat test can be performed at home and recorded via web app and video function. The test involves rinsing a solution in the mouth, which must then be transferred to a glass tube. The test persons are informed digitally about the result within 24 hours. The corresponding certificate is valid for up to 72 hours after the test has been performed.
It is valid as an entry test, for example, for body-related services. According to the city, it is also intended to use the system for schools. People who do not live in Vienna but work here may also participate. However, they can only hand in their test tube in Vienna.
Four tests per week possible
As Health City Councillor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) explained, four tests per week are possible. Accordingly, 1.5 million test kits have been prepared for the next few days – another 1.2 million will be delivered each week. The Lifebrain laboratory can analyze up to 200,000 samples per day. Further expansion of capacity is possible, it said. The larger number would also reduce costs, the department head assured. Up to now, each test has cost 8.50 euros. In the future, only 5 euros will be spent.
For the evaluation of the large sample quantities, the laboratory of the Vienna Lifebrain Group has massively expanded its capacities, as CEO Michael Havel explained. The area, which is housed in a pavilion on the Baumgartner Höhe, has been extended to three floors. 135 analytical instruments and robotic systems would be available here. The samples are delivered by the postal service – with up to 60 vehicles a day heading for the Lifebrain site.
The samples are analyzed using the pooling method. Ten samples at a time are analyzed together. If a positive result is found, all samples in the pool are checked individually.
Ludwig appeals: Limit physical contact
“We are in a very difficult situation,” emphasized Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ). He once again referred to the massive impact of the mutations of the coronavirus and the fact that more and more younger people are affected. He said that the expansion of the gargle initiative was one of the important steps that would now be implemented – in addition to the “Easter rest” measures that would soon be imposed.
Ludwig again appealed to the public to limit physical contact. He announced that public places would be intensively controlled to avoid larger gatherings of people. The Viennese mayor also said he assumes that measures comparable to those now adopted for the eastern region will soon come to other provinces: “I am convinced that this will be the case.”
The president of the Viennese Chamber of Commerce, Walter Ruck, advocated at least reconsidering some of the measures planned in the process, such as the FFP2 mask-wearing requirement indoors. This would not be easy to implement in production plants. He suggested that the obligation could possibly be waived if a negative PCR certificate is available.
for further information, visit the website: allesgurgelt.at
source: vienna.at/APA/picture: allesgurgelt.at
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