More tests being carried out in Zug centres

Twice as many tests have been carried out per day In the Andreas Clinic in Cham as at the beginning of the testing, while the number in the Cantonal Hospital has increased from 200 to 250 tests per day. The canton has had also had its first, good experience with the series tests in companies.

The test centre in the area of the former Spinnerei (spinning mill) in Baar probably faced its hardest challenge before Easter: during that time, up to 330 people per day could be tested. There are significantly fewer at present: only about 60 people per day. Everything seemed to go OK at the time. According to health director Martin Pfister, the operation in the test centre, where only people without symptoms are tested, started well..

It’s clear that the test offensive has had an impact on the number of tests. And this can be seen at both locations, the Cantonal Hospital in Baar and the Andreas Clinic in Cham. As an illustration, the number of tests in the Cantonal Hospital has risen from 200 to 250 per day, and from 50 to 100 in the Andreas Clinic. The Zug Government Councillor (Regierungsrat) explains: "The figures vary from day to day. For example, the number of tests for travel certificates increases noticeably before the school holidays or general holidays." As in the days before Easter. Demand also fluctuates at the test centre on the Spinnerei site, which is why a dynamic system has been chosen: in the case of a higher demand, more appointments are allocated than during periods of lower demand.

Walk-in tests, i.e. receiving a test without first registering, is no longer possible in the canton of Zug. Nor at the cantonal hospital, where this change was also "implemented without any problems". The advantage of this is that there are no more queues.

People without symptoms resort to self-testing
In addition to testing in the centres, for which the federal government pays the costs, self-testing has also been introduced. Five test kits can be obtained free-of-charge per month per person. Has this had an affect on the test rate in the Zug centres? Yes, replies the health director: "Since the self-tests have been provided, the number of tests at the test centres has decreased slightly."

If you are symptom-free, you can be tested in the vaccination centre
Photo: Maria Schmid (Baar, 11 January 2021)

This suggests that people without symptoms are more likely to resort to a self-test, although there are no figures for self-tests provided and carried out. In addition, Martin Pfister adds that people who have had a positive self-test regularly register with the centres for a subsequent PCR test. The Health Directorate does point out, however, that self-testing is not suitable for people with symptoms. These people should be tested free-of-charge in a centre, he adds.

Cooperation with Hirslanden AG
The Health Directorate is convinced that testing, in addition to compliance with protection concepts and vaccination, is an important pillar. Mass tests were therefore ordered in schools early on, and testing is also to be encouraged in companies. The canton of Zug thereby cooperates with Hirslanden AG in this, by operating a platform through which all processes of the series tests can be carried out. The Health Directorate is convinced that this significantly simplifies series tests for companies and organisations. There are no costs for the companies who are willing to be tested.

Where the company tests are carried out depends on the type. If the antigen rapid tests are used, the tests are carried out by a trained person in the company or in a pharmacy. Martin Pfister adds: "When using PCR saliva tests, the samples are taken at home or in the company, and are then evaluated in a laboratory."

The Zug Health Directorate cannot say how and whether mass testing affects the positiveness rate, because this is calculated by the FOPH at national level. What we do know, however, is the level of the positiveness rate in companies: at 4.5 per mille, this is significantly higher than in schools, where it is 0.7 per mille. The government councillor stresses, however: "the series tests in the companies have only just begun. It will become clear in the coming weeks how this number develops." They are pleased to have made their first experiences. Martin Pfister adds: "These series tests achieve their goal, and find undetected cases. As a result, the infection chains can be quickly broken."