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The first corona mass tests are scheduled to start as early as the beginning of December. First of all, teachers are to be tested.
In a first step, 7 million rapid antigen tests have already been ordered. Everyone should have the right to one or two tests, in a second phase further tests will be ordered. The costs are estimated at 500 million euros behind closed doors. “Cheaper than a lockdown,” is what the government is saying. Slovakia has succeeded in reducing the replication factor (who infects how many) from 1.4 to 0.7.
“With the mass tests, we are opening a new chapter in the fight against the pandemic and want to make it possible for people to have a Christmas in a close family circle,” said Chancellor Kurz. That is the timetable:
Step 1: Hotspots. In the first week of December the tests will start in Corona hotspot communities, for example in Tyrol. Currently, the numbers are particularly high in the Zillertal. The test stations are building up the communities.
Step 2: Teachers on December 5 and 6 – in time for the planned school opening.
Step 3: Police. All 40,000 or so police officers will be tested from December 7 to 9.
Step 4: Mass tests in the last week before Christmas throughout Austria, for example in schools, exhibition halls – this is to be worked out by the municipalities with the army.
Step 5: New mass tests. In January there is to be another large wave of tests.
On Monday there will be a provincial governors’ conference to clarify all the details. The Armed Forces are to support the tests.
What happens if the test is positive?
With the rapid antigen tests, the result is available after 15 minutes. If one test is positive, another rapid test is performed and only then is a quarantine order issued. The test may only be performed by medical personnel.
- hp with reports from soziaministerium.at. picture: pixabay.com
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