The number of PCR tests in Berlin has grown significantly – to almost 47,000 per week.
Although it fluctuates, it is steadily increasing, the Senate Department for Health announced on Monday at the request of the German Press Agency. From December 13th to 19th there were 9826 PCR tests in the state test centers and 3181 in the commercial test centers.
In the past week from the 10th to the 16th, there were 32,197 tests in the state-owned test centers and 14,736 in the commercial test centers.
“The laboratories are also expanding their capacities as much as possible,” said a spokeswoman for the health administration. However, that will not be enough for the omicron wave.
“That’s why the Federal Minister of Health announced a prioritization of PCR tests.” How this will be implemented is still open. “It would be conceivable, for example, to prioritize the limited availability of PCR tests for symptomatic people and possibly vulnerable groups.”
Berlin has already submitted a corresponding application to change the corona test strategy. This emerges from a draft decision that was presented to the health ministers before a video conference on Monday evening. This is intended to counteract overloading of the laboratory capacities.
also read
► Marzahn-Hellersdorf has a corona incidence of 0 – because the technology is failing!
► Ministry: Shorter recovered status because of omicron
Berlin’s new health senator Ulrike Gote (Greens) pointed out several times in the past week that the PCR test capacities were not sufficient in view of the increasing demand.
On Thursday she said in the House of Representatives: “Of course we can increase the PCR capacities a little in Berlin, and we do that too.” In order to achieve this, she announced, among other things, longer opening times and more staff for the state’s own test centers. “But one thing is also clear: it won’t be enough in the end.”
.
ttn-27