PCR testing procedure changed in Chemnitz daycare centres
If a positive case of coronavirus occurs in a childcare facility, the affected contact persons are instructed to have two PCR tests carried out within a 10-day observation period at a commissioned test centre, at a (paediatric) doctor or in a pharmacy. This was decided jointly by the youth welfare office and the health department of the city of Chemnitz.
The background to this is that the lollipop tests (also PCR) provided by the state testing centre have not proven to be practicable for use in day-care centres. Nevertheless, in the event of a positive case occurring in a group in the daycare centre, testing with a PCR test of the children and educational staff (close contact persons) from the affected group is mandatory in accordance with the Infection Protection Act. This is to avoid quarantine orders.
The following procedure therefore applies to Chemnitz day care centres with immediate effect:
- Preparation of the group list with the affected children and educational staff and transmission to the public health department
- Separate care of the affected children in a group with designated educational staff
- The parents of the children in the affected group receive the form for submission to an authorised test centre, (paediatric) doctor or pharmacy in order to have a PCR test carried out on the child.
- Parents must submit confirmation that the child has been tested using a PCR test for the first time within two days of confirmation of the positive case at the daycare centre.
- If parents do not agree to the test, the child may not be cared for in the centre. These children will be reported to the public health department.
The second test is required between the fifth and seventh day. For this, the parents must also present confirmation to the daycare centre that the child has been tested using the PCR test.