Corona numbers continue to increase Rhein-Sieg-Kreis wants to conduct as many tests as possible
Rhein-Sieg-Kreis. · The Rhein-Sieg-Kreis intends to test for the Corona virus as comprehensively as possible. The capacity of each of the three smear sites can be increased to 500 tests per day. Work is also being done on a concept for temporary hospitals.
The first effects of the contact ban are expected to become apparent this week in the numbers of people infected with the Corona virus in the Rhein-Sieg district. At least that is the assumption of Rainer Meilicke, head of the district health department. 552 people in the district are now infected with the virus, 63 of them have recovered and two of those infected have died.
In contrast to other pandemics, cumulative figures are published worldwide for the corona pandemic. According to Meilicke, this means that those who have been cured are also counted among those infected. At the daily press conference in the circle, Meilicke expressed his horror at the figures in the federal government, especially the death rate, which has risen from two per mille to one percent since last week.
Kreis council wants to conduct as many tests as possible
The Kreis council wants to comply with the request of Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn to test as much as possible. The number of tests can still be increased significantly. "We can carry out up to 500 tests on each of the three swab sites every day," said Meilicke. The necessary laboratory capacities are also available.
As far as the question of how to transmit the results to the tested corona suspects is concerned, the health authorities are still working through the consequences of a breakdown: Because in the first few days, the laboratory was inadvertently given the address of the smear site for the return of the results instead of the GP's address, the results initially ended up at the Health Office. Meilicke explained that his staff would now individually sort out the correct contact persons for this purpose. However, he assured that only negative test results were still on his desk.
29,000 new protective masks for hospitals and nursing homes
Rainer Dahm, head of the Office for Civil Protection, reported that further protection material was on its way into the circle. 29,000 protective masks had been promised by the Cologne administrative district for the coming week. Of course, the district is also trying to procure the urgently needed protection material by other means. In addition, the district is currently preparing the establishment of temporary hospitals. According to Dahm, however, these hospitals will not be used to house and treat the infected. They are intended to relieve the hospitals of other patients and thus free up beds for Covid-19 patients.
Dahm could not yet say anything about locations. The district has asked the municipalities to name buildings where a makeshift hospital could be set up. These proposals are now being examined according to a number of criteria.
(Original text: Andrea Ziech. Translation: Mareike Graepel)
