Tübingen is the model. In the university town of Baden-Württemberg, a negative rapid test makes it possible to live almost without restrictions. Würzburg, Main-Spessart as a region and Schweinfurt now want to become model regions in the Bavarian pilot project announced by the state government. These rapid tests can currently be carried out at test centers, in pharmacies or at doctors’ offices.
But are the rapid tests really that good? Do they mean the way out of lockdown, despite the current increase in the number of infections?
“Basically, I’m surprised at how good the tests are. I would never have dreamed that last summer,” says Professor Lars Dölken from the Institute of Virology and Immunobiology at the University of Würzburg. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the rapid tests are correct in 99.8 percent of cases if the test is negative. In the case of positive tests, on the other hand, there is actually an infection in only about 70 percent. Therefore, in positive cases, subsequent PCR testing is necessary, Dölken also confirms.
Employers and schools should be obliged to carry out tests
“In the long term there are fewer positive tests, which is why rapid tests have to be used massively more,” says the holder of the chair for virology. Employers should be obliged to test their workforce twice a week, says Dölken. The same applies to schools.
The testing prevents larger outbreaks because the infections are noticed early. “The tests are not perfect, but if three out of 30 children are positive, you prevent 27 new infections in one class,” says Dölken, also referring to the new virus variant, which is particularly aggressive. While an infected person did not necessarily infect his entire family in the past, this can usually no longer be avoided through the mutation.
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“It’s different on the outside, that’s why, in my opinion, outdoor catering can open up”
Lars Dölken, virologist at the University of Würzburg–
Spring is a glimmer of hope for Dölken: “Inside there are infections due to too much breathing. Outside it is different, so in my opinion the outside catering can open. To do this, you have to test all employees there.” The opening of the catering industry with the introduction of a quick test could also be an incentive for more citizens to be tested, said Dölken. This in turn would then help contain the pandemic.
“If you were to test all of Würzburg every three days, the virus would be gone,” says the virologist. “It doesn’t matter how safe the tests are, because they’re good enough for that.” Testing a lot is not the only way out of the crisis – but it is a central component.
Bernward Unger, board member of the Association of Lower Franconian Pharmacies, also sees it this way. Even the pharmacist from Dettelbach (district of Kitzingen) does not see the direct route out of lockdown in the tests, but they are important: “Provided they have the required approval and are properly carried out, rapid tests are very reliable and can definitely help, get the pandemic under control faster and better. ”
With mask and test: shops can open
General Practitioner Dr. Christian Pfeiffer, regional director of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for Lower Franconia, has had experience with rapid tests in his practice in Giebelstadt (district of Würzburg). He thinks they are suitable for opening shops because FFP2 masks also have to be worn there. At private meetings, however, one relies too much on negative test results, warns Pfeiffer. Therefore, the error rate of the rapid tests has a much greater impact. Without a further reduction in contacts, according to Pfeiffer, there would be no end to the lockdown, not even with quick tests.
“Tests are the basic prerequisite for breaking chains of infection,” says Paul Justice, who is responsible for test management in the city and district of Würzburg. Justice also sees the tests primarily as a supplementary measure. In particular, the chance to uncover otherwise undetected cases helps. But it is always important that the tests are carried out correctly.
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