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Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Family Affairs is examining the use of child-friendly lollipop corona tests in day-care centers.
Family Minister Joachim Stamp (FDP) still considers a nationwide deployment to be unlikely - although it is said to be in schools.
One obstacle is the high laboratory and transport costs that such PCR lollipop tests involve, replied Stamp when asked by the German Press Agency in Düsseldorf.
At the weekend, State Secretary Mathias Richter (FDP) announced that lollipop tests should be offered at all primary and special schools by mid-May.
This would require laboratory capacity for around 35,000 tests per day, he told the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung.
Stamp reported that his house was discussing this with the Ministry of Education and the relevant model project sponsors.
"As soon as more suitable tests are available, we will adapt our self-test strategy together with sponsors, unions and parents."
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With the so-called lollipop method, there is no need to insert a stick into the nose or deeper into the throat.
Instead, children suck on a swab - the “lollipop” - for 30 seconds.
These are PCR tests that are considered to be very accurate in detecting infections with the coronavirus.
In Cologne, the tests are already in use in day-care centers and schools.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210426-99-361210 / 2