The service staff in Berlin schools and daycare centers will in future be able to be tested for the Covid 19 virus using rapid tests. The Senate decided on a proposal from Education Senator Sandra Scheeres and Health Senator Dilek Kalayci. The Senate Department for Health provides eight mobile test sites, including the necessary medically qualified staff, for testing staff in Berlin schools and daycare centers, depending on availability. Up to 200 tests per day are then possible per mobile test site.
These mobile test centers are primarily used in facilities in which cases arise. The Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family determines the place of deployment depending on the current situation in coordination with the district health authorities. If there is sufficient capacity, the quick tests for daycare and school staff will also be carried out at up to five of the current decentralized test centers for asymptomatic staff.
Sandra Scheeres, Senator for Education, Youth and Family: “It is important to me that all service personnel at schools and daycare centers can be tested as quickly as possible on specific occasions, especially when cases arise in the facilities. These quick tests give the employees the necessary security and at the same time secure school and daycare operations. In addition to screening and test sites for asymptomatic personnel, these rapid tests are another component of our test strategy. ”
Dilek Kalayci, Senator for Health, Care and Equality: “Berlin is quick to procure rapid tests. So far, more than 1 million of them have already been distributed, for example to care facilities, homeless people and hospitals. Now we are increasingly using the rapid tests in schools and day-care centers. To this end, we are now sending eight mobile test teams with appropriate specialist staff on the way. With the use of rapid tests, we are strengthening schools and making them even safer by being able to better break the chains of infection. ”
The basis for the decision where the rapid tests are used are the talks between the health authorities and the school inspectorate that take place every Thursday. Here, the number of cases in the facilities is carefully examined. The staff should then be examined as soon as possible. Service staff who have tested negatively who are not category I contact persons or who are symptomatic can then resume their work immediately, taking into account the applicable hygiene rules.
Inpatient facilities of youth welfare, integration assistance and the Berlin emergency service child protection were already provided with quick tests last week.
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