In the elementary and special schools, the lollipop pool tests have leveled off after a few initial difficulties and are part of everyday school life. This again creates a bit more security, because the lollipop tests are not only easier to use for the little ones, but are also evaluated using the PCR method, which means that their results are more reliable than the rapid antigen tests.
The Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs (StMAS) now enables PCR pool tests to be carried out for childcare facilities as well. However, rural districts and urban districts can decide for themselves whether and where to introduce PCR pool tests in childcare, or whether they should continue to use rapid antigen tests for daycare children.
After the period for the financial support of the pool tests by the Free State was extended from December 31st to February 25th, District Administrator Thomas Eberth commissioned the test management at the Würzburg District Office to inquire about the actual needs of the childcare facilities in the district, according to the Press office of the district office. Since the workload required for the day-care center staff – in the case of participation in the pool tests – cannot yet be estimated, the response will possibly be manageable, according to the assessment.
Participation in the tests is voluntary
For the test, the children suck on a swab like a lollipop for 30 seconds, all swabs of a class are put together in a container – this creates a collective sample, also known as a pool sample.
“There is no obligation to introduce PCR pool tests in daycare centers; participation is absolutely voluntary,” explains Paul Justice from test management. It is an offer “to be able to protect the small children and educators even better”. If the pool tests are well received, this could be an advantage. A letter was sent to all institutions in the district at the beginning of the week “to sound out whether there is any interest”. So far (as of Friday noon) there has been no feedback.
But one cannot deny the high administrative effort: “Organizing the pool tests and putting them out to tender in accordance with public procurement law requires an enormous amount of time,” says Justice. Only when at least ten institutions register do the costs and effort justify themselves. In addition, at least ten individual samples are required for a PCR pool, “so at least ten children from a day-care center would have to participate”. The aim is to enable them to have a simple procedure so that the children can independently take a lollipop test at home and hand it in at their facility, according to the test manager.
He points out that two samples must always be taken and returned to the facilities. “If a pool is positive, the individual samples from the people, so-called reserve samples, must then be examined.”
In the city of Würzburg, Kita administrators are rather skeptical about the pool tests
Another major shortcoming: if the daycare center takes part in the PCR pool tests, it is not allowed to issue parents with any authorization certificates for the free purchase of self-tests in pharmacies for the month in question. “This applies to all children in the facility, regardless of whether they take the pool test or not,” said Justice. A change of the test method is only possible at the beginning of the month.
A point that many day-care center managers in the city of Würzburg complain. They were informed about the new possibility in an online conference, as reported by social officer Hülya Düber. About 50 percent of the daycare centers took part in this and “were able to use this for direct exchange”.
According to Düber, it was heard in unison that it is “difficult for the institutions to form fixed groups” due to the staffing capacity. Therefore, the effectiveness of the measure is also questioned. “Assuming 80 children in the day-care center, ten can be tested in the pool, but then in the afternoon they mix up with those who have not been tested, the question arises,” says Düber. The administrative effort for the daycare centers does not pay off either. That would be different again if the tests were compulsory, “because then everyone would have to take part”.
Free rapid tests are important
In addition, the free quick tests for at home are not unimportant, especially after the latest developments: Since this week, a negative self-test has been sufficient for small children with mild symptoms of illness so that they can attend daycare. Time-consuming visits to the doctor or test center are no longer necessary. The parents only have to provide a confirmation that they have written themselves.
This is also confirmed by the director of the Würzburg day care center “Our Lady”, Andrea Zoller, who took part in the conference. “I see the implementation of the pool tests as rather difficult for our day-care center. It makes no sense to me if only a few children are tested and in return the authorization certificates for all children are no longer applicable.”
Lead a discourse with the parent representatives
So not an easy decision that has been postponed for the time being. “The Kita management can now think about it and lead the discourse with the parents’ representatives.” Because, according to Düber, of course it is important what the parents’ tenor is about the pool tests. By the middle of next week there should be an expanded mood, “on the basis of which we decide whether we as a city participate or not”. If so, one would team up with the district with regard to logistics – i.e. laboratory operators, transport service providers and a proper tender – and create synergies.
From the district office it says: “If at least ten institutions, each with at least ten people, agree to take part in the tests, all the necessary steps will be taken to establish a pool test system.”
Alternatively, Düber can well imagine that the city will continue on the path of free antigen self-tests for kindergarten children, but here create low-threshold offers in order to reach as many parents as possible. Sometimes it fails when going to the pharmacy, “we are thinking about how we could involve the day-care centers, for example when assigning tests”.
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