Status: 07/27/2021 4:57 p.m.
Corona measures will also be part of the new school year, the same applies to daycare centers nationwide. These include ways to test children for infection. The RKI recommends the so-called lollipop method.
In the first federal states, the end of the summer vacation is gradually drawing closer – and given the rising seven-day incidence of corona cases, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is also focusing on protecting children.
That is why the RKI recommends the widespread use of so-called lollipop tests in daycare centers and schools. In this variant, the children put the test stick in their mouth for about 30 seconds. The saliva sample obtained in this way is examined for infection by means of PCR pool testing in laboratories.
Reliable and easier to use on children
According to the RKI, a medium and high viral load can be detected “very reliably” with the help of the lollipop tests. In addition, these tests are more sensitive than a rapid antigen test. The sensitivity indicates how many sick people are actually recognized as sick.
The type of testing is also less invasive than, for example, a nasal swab and is therefore well accepted by children, parents and staff. That is why the Lolli method could be “a basis for a widely applicable and systematic test concept in day-care centers and schools”, the RKI continues.
Positive test run in Cologne
The city of Cologne carried out the first test run with a comprehensive application of the lollipop method from March to May. Around 30 day-care centers took part in the test run at that time, after which both the city and the university clinic in Cologne drew a positive conclusion. As a result, the lollipop tests were introduced in all Cologne day-care centers and schools. Since May they have also been used at all elementary and special schools in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Incidence continues to rise
The nationwide seven-day incidence has meanwhile risen again. It is now 14.5, as the RKI announced, citing the health authorities. A week ago the incidence was 10.9; yesterday it was 14.3. At the low of July 6, the value was given as 4.9.
In eleven federal states, the incidence is now above 10.0 again; it is highest in Hamburg (26.8), followed by Berlin (24.8) and Saarland (22.8). In Saxony-Anhalt (3.3), Saxony (4.8), Brandenburg (5.0), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (5.2) and Thuringia (5.8), fewer than ten cases each were recorded in the past seven days 100,000 inhabitants reported.
1545 new infections
The health authorities in Germany reported 1,545 new corona infections to the RKI within one day. A week ago the value was 1183. Throughout Germany, 38 Covid-19 deaths were recorded within 24 hours. A week ago it was 34.
The total number of corona infections recorded in Germany since the pandemic began is reportedly 3,758,401. The actual total number is likely to be significantly higher, as many infections are not detected. The number of people who have died related to the virus stands at 91,565. 3,647,700 people are considered to have recovered.