National test strategy vs. reality
The national test strategy clearly stipulates that first-degree contact persons should definitely be tested and that the costs for the test will be covered by the statutory health insurances. You can read this on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.
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However, almost all health authorities in Saxony are now deviating from this test strategy, as research by MDR SACHSEN shows. In ten of the health authorities in question, only people with corona symptoms are tested – this is now also recommended by the Robert Koch Institute. Only the Erzgebirge informs on request that first degree contact persons have the “right to be tested for direct pathogen detection of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2”. It remains to be seen whether this will also be carried out in the district. From Chemnitz it is clear: “The Chemnitz Health Department tests every first-degree contact person.” Twelve of the thirteen health authorities only agree on one point: Anyone who is a first-degree contact person must go into quarantine. Leipzig is the only health department that has not yet received an answer.
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“Uncertainty is hard to bear”
For Martin, the procedure is completely incomprehensible: “We want to be tested, because we can’t bear the uncertainty that maybe we have infected others. I also need to know whether I, as a freelancer, will have to cancel or accept jobs in the coming days. It’s also a question of existence. ”
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Test for the baby
When their five-month-old baby gets a fever, at least the child will be tested. The result of the PCR test is negative – but Klara du Martin is still not certain. “Our child was not sitting directly at the coffee table with grandma. It was further away, but we had direct contact.” But even with this argument, the young family fails at the family doctor. In the emergency room, which the couple also contacted, it is said that a test does not reveal anything if the person being tested has no symptoms.
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Stunned organization
Klara is stunned: “I think it’s amazing how disorganized everything is and how everyone told us something else. No wonder the numbers are not going down. People like us, who are first-degree contact persons, but have no certainty about their risk of infection , probably by the hundreds walking around outside. Very few will probably go into voluntary isolation if the health department merely advises avoiding public transport. ”
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Four days after the birthday coffee, the two can finally be tested at their own expense. The result is negative, the relief great. When weighed up, it is worth the cost.
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