Status: 04/12/2021 9:16 a.m.
A four-week model test for corona rapid tests in young children began in Hamburg’s day-care centers on Monday. Participation is voluntary.
According to the spokesman for the social welfare authority, Martin Helfrich, 19 daycare centers spread across the city are taking part in the experiment. In addition to an increase in infection protection, one also expects to find out how small children can be tested at all, what happens to the willingness of parents and whether tests can detect infections that would otherwise not have been noticed.
Two quick tests a week before going to daycare
In the model day care centers, parents are called upon to test their children twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays before visiting the facilities or – if the children can do self-tests – to supervise them, as Helfrich said. Participation is voluntary. Parents received ten free test kits per child – eight for testing, two in reserve. In total, the authority made almost 37,400 tests available for the pilot project.
AUDIO: Daycare centers: model test for corona rapid tests begins (1 min)
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PCR test after a positive rapid test
In the attempt it depends on the parents, said Helfrich. A test by the educators, “which would possibly take place against the will of the children, is out of the question for pedagogical reasons alone”. If the rapid test is positive, a PCR test must follow. The extent to which the result is then confirmed is a further gain in knowledge.
Interim results in mid-May at the earliest
Among the 19 participating institutions, in addition to urban Elbkinder daycare centers, there are also those of independent and denominational providers. During the selection, attempts were made to reflect the diversity of the city, said Helfrich. The daycare centers also include those with a special focus on language training or inclusion. The first interim results can be expected in mid-May at the earliest and an overall evaluation in June.
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