Researchers in Penzberg made a breakthrough with a view to the corona virus. This could have consequences for the entire Free State and Germany. Markus Söder informed.
- Since April 27th in Bavaria due to the Corona virus* a “mask requirement”.
- Researchers in Penzberg have now made an important breakthrough.
- Markus Söder and Jens Spahn visited the laboratory and then provided information at a press conference.
- Here you will find our signpost for reporting and the Corona News from Germany. You can also find current case numbers in Bavaria here map. There are currently the following recommendations Corona protection measures.
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Update from 3:50 p.m.: An antibody test from Roche can soon be used to check whether someone has already had the coronavirus. However, it is still unclear whether the detection of antibodies goes hand in hand with an immunization of those affected. Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Roche Board of Directors, said there is a “very high probability” that detected antibodies will also have an immunizing effect. The evidence as well as this knowledge are important factors for reopening society in the current pandemic as long as there is no vaccine.
Video: Coronavirus – Spahn wants to test millions of Germans for antibodies
“As soon as there is certain knowledge about a possible immunity after infection, the tests will become even more important,” stressed Spahn. His house is currently still working on the basics for which population groups – such as medical and nursing staff as well as risk groups – the test should initially be available. It would also clarify in which cases the statutory health insurance companies will cover the costs. In general, however, everyone can be tested immediately at their own expense. According to Franz, the tests would cost less than “several hundred euros”.
Coronavirus in Bavaria: Roche antibody tests in May
Update from 12.29 p.m .: In May, the pharmaceutical company Roche plans to deliver a new test for antibodies against the novel corona virus to healthcare facilities in Germany. The agreed Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) and the company on Monday in Penzberg in Upper Bavaria. “The new test is an important new milestone in the fight against the virus,” said Spahn. Three million tests should be delivered in May, and five million tests for delivery to Germany have been agreed for the coming months.
“Antibody tests help us to know who has already had a corona infection. This is how we gain insight into the actual outbreak, ”said Spahn. The tests would become even more important as soon as there was certain knowledge about a possible immunity after undergoing infection.
By the way: Spahn also spoke on Monday about vaccine research. However, he put a damper on hopes of an early breakthrough.
Roche Antibody Test: Söder Announces Free State Support
To the production capacity for the new serological test Elecsys Anti-Sars CoV-2 Roche plans to expand its biochemical plants in Penzberg for around EUR 170 million. This also has an impact on Bavaria: As Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder announced, the Free State is providing 40 million euros, which is to create a large research center. This has another important impact for the future. The research center wants to be better prepared for similar situations.
The test reportedly has one sensitivity of 100 percent and one Specificity of 99.8 percent. The former indicates the percentage of those affected by whom the infection is actually recognized. The latter says how many healthy people are actually recognized as healthy by the test. Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Roche Board of Directors, spoke of a completely “new level of quality”.
Söder at press conference on antibody tests: Prime Minister criticizes rashes of individual federal states
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) has criticized the rushing forward of individual federal states to relax anti-corona measures. He was “a little unhappy” that some countries were already going beyond what was agreed between the federal and state governments last week, the CSU chairman said at a press conference on Monday after a visit to the Roche development laboratory in Penzberg, Upper Bavaria. He announced that the next steps would be taken at the next switching conference by the federal and state governments this Wednesday.
Saxony-Anhalt in particular had caused a sensation. There, a new ordinance came into force on Monday night, with which the country is leading the country in relaxing the strict corona restrictions. The Saxon-Anhalt people are now allowed to spend about five away from their own household.
Meanwhile, the debates are already about possible new opportunities that result from safe antibody tests: A bill that also plays with the idea of ”proof of immunity” brings with it criticism and drastic warnings.
Corona virus in Bavaria: Söder and Spahn provide information on antibody tests – the press conference for reading
Update from 12.20 p.m .: The press conference has ended.
Update from 12.17 p.m .: The test works by taking a blood sample, and smear tests would not produce the corresponding results, explains Thomas Schinecker from Roche. The price for self-payers has not yet been determined. “We do not expect several hundred euros here, these are significantly lower numbers,” adds Franz. Costs arise, among other things, from taking blood, sending it to the laboratory and evaluating it there.
Update from 12.15 p.m .: The Roche price is competitive – and is the same for the whole world, says Spahn. If someone came to Germany that test capacities were not available there, the Federal Republic would support.
Coronavirus in Bavaria – Roche Antibody Tests: Individual Consequences in Immunity?
Update from 12:08 p.m.: The Roche test is very specific and sensitive, explains Spahn. But they also bought from another company that developed good tests.
Update from 12:04 p.m .: Spahn explains that it has not yet been clarified how long someone will be immune after an infection. Studies are planned. What are the consequences? immunity to a person with regard to the exit restrictions has not yet been clarified. According to Spahn, the ethics council must first deal with this question.
On the basis of a statement by the German Ethics Council, it must first be clarified whether this proof will then also lead to an individual relaxation of the restrictions. Until this is written, the Minister of Health has been cautious about this topic.
– BR24 (@ BR24) May 4, 2020
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Update from 12.01 p.m .: According to Söder, the situation is currently under control, one must continue to be careful, but it is also time for easing. “We must not stumble over the successes we have.” Overall, it went quite well between the federal and state governments.
Roche Corona Antibody Tests: Who Can Be Tested? Spahn answers
Update from 11:59 a.m.: The journalists can now ask their questions. The Federal Minister of Health is asked who can do such an antibody test at all. “If you pay yourself, for everyone depending on availability,” says Spahn, that is common. It still had to be determined in which cases the health insurance companies would cover the costs.
Update from 11.55 a.m .: Now is Alexander Dobrindt your turn. Research and development must continue to be promoted. The Roche site in Penzberg is the front runner when it comes to diagnostics. Bavaria’s commitment to the pharmaceutical company is important. “My thanks go to all employees” who would have developed such an important test in such a short time.
Update from 11.53 a.m .: The way this test was researched with a lot of commitment in a short time would have something of a start-up mentality. He would have taken that with him in discussions with the employees.
Press conference on Roche antibody tests: Spahn with current corona numbers
Update from 11.49 a.m .: There are currently around 23,000 actively infected people in Germany, as Spahn reports. He explains how important it is to compare different numbers. That includes the Reproductive rate. Ten infected people currently infect seven people. What is being researched in Penzberg will be available worldwide, as the Federal Minister of Health further reports.
Update from 11.47 a.m .: Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn speaks. “We are not delivered defenseless,” said Spahn about the corona virus. “The virus is still very, very new, there are new findings every day.” This new test from Roche “is an important milestone in the fight against this virus,” said Spahn. He was particularly specific. For the following months there are five million tests per month for Germany.
The pharmaceutical company #Roche Assured: Three million of these tests should already be available for the German health system this month and five million tests per month in the following months.
– BR24 (@ BR24) May 4, 2020
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Markus Söder live: Science means knowing a little bit more every day ”
Update from 11.45 a.m .: “Science means knowing a little more every day,” says Söder about criticism of scientists. Therefore, it may be that there are new insights every day.
Update from 11.43 a.m.: “That is a very decisive step forward,” said Söder. “It’s not just a tube, it’s something very special,” said Bavaria’s Prime Minister. Roche would invest 400 million euros in this location. As a result, there is a large medical center in Bavaria. Bavaria would contribute with 40 million euros to one Research Center for pandemic research. Even if it works corona Getting under control in the next few months would face such a challenge more often in the future.
Coronavirus in Bavaria: Söder talks about Roche antibody tests
Update from 11.40 a.m .: “Today is not a regional event, it is an international step,” added Markus Söder. Political decisions are made, but scientific solutions are needed.
Update from 11.38 a.m .: Roche has already been able to provide tests in large quantities that can detect the coronavirus itself. An antibody test is presented today, which is supplementary.
This antibody test is not meant to measure the virus, but the virus antibody against these viruses. This can be used to prove whether a person has already had the corona virus and is therefore highly likely to be immune to the virus, said Franz.
Update from 11.33 a.m .: The press conference begins. Dr. Christoph Franz von Roche speaks first. “Roche is launching a new antibody test today,” he explains the reason for the press conference. This has a new level of quality.
Coronavirus in Bavaria: Söder and Spahn provide information on Roche antibody tests at a press conference
Update from 11:16 a.m .: Markus Söder and Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn visit the pharmaceutical company Roche. At the Penzberg site, the researchers have probably made a breakthrough in antibody tests. There will be a press conference at 11.30 a.m.
Corona virus in Bavaria: researchers in the Free State with a breakthrough? Success could have drastic consequences
First report from May 4th, 10:22 p.m.
A mouth-and-nose covering has been compulsory in Bavaria since April 27 – colloquially Mask requirement called. Public life stood still for a long time, now shops were allowed to reopen. However, it does not look good for them gastronomy from – this cried out for help to Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder.
Corona virus in Bavaria: antibody tests necessary for loosening?
Many people demand easing of the strict Corona virus requirements. Reliable antibody tests apply loudly Bavarian Radio (BR) as a key element, because those who have antibodies are temporarily considered immune to the virus and could take part in public life again without risk to others.
In Penzberg was such a test developed by Roche* – a so-called serological test. So that can antibody be detected in the blood. It usually takes years to develop a precise test at the site in Penzberg However, around the clock has been worked in the past few weeks – the researchers managed to develop such a test in just a few months.
Coronavirus in the Free State: Researchers with a Breakthrough?
Previous antibody tests are sometimes considered to be very imprecise. According to internal information from Roche However, the breakthrough has now been achieved, like that BR reported. Thousands of patients have already been tested, and it can be demonstrated with almost 100 percent certainty whether a patient is with corona got infected.
The first tests should be possible in a few days. By the end of June, the capacity should then be in the high double-digit million range. The hope is loud BRthat the tests can clarify the spread of immunity in the population. This would potentially return to normality possible.
Corona virus in Bavaria: Markus Söder and Jens Spahn inform at press conference
Roche says it has received FDA emergency approval for the test. According to a spokesman, this is valid for all countries that accept the CE marking for products. That includes all countries within the European Union.
“This is not a test for home use,” said the spokesman. It is a blood test that requires technical equipment to evaluate it. How the test could be rolled out in Germany is, among other things, a matter for the federal government. Now visit federal health ministers Jens Spahn and Markus Söder the laboratory. Spahn and Bavaria’s prime minister then provide information at a press conference.
With intermediate steps, there will be initial easing of the corona crisis this week. No solution yet but first prospects for families.* A comment by Christian Deutschländer.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
came / dpa
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Peter Kneffel
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