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| Germany to offer free rapid Covid-19 antigen tests to all residents from March 1 – health minister | Germany to offer free rapid Covid-19 antigen tests to all residents from March 1 – health minister |
| (25 days later) | |
| German Health Minister Jens Spahn said that every resident will soon be able to get a quick Covid-19 antigen test free of charge. He added that self-test kits should also be widely available once approved by the regulator. | German Health Minister Jens Spahn said that every resident will soon be able to get a quick Covid-19 antigen test free of charge. He added that self-test kits should also be widely available once approved by the regulator. |
| Spahn said that there is now a “sufficient” number of tests available on the market, making it possible to test everyone in Germany for free. He said the health ministry is in talks with test manufacturers. | Spahn said that there is now a “sufficient” number of tests available on the market, making it possible to test everyone in Germany for free. He said the health ministry is in talks with test manufacturers. |
| The move comes as the government plans to massively expand testing across the country. According to the RND news agency, the free tests will be available at state-run testing sites, as well as in hospitals, pharmacies and dental offices. The government will cover the costs. | The move comes as the government plans to massively expand testing across the country. According to the RND news agency, the free tests will be available at state-run testing sites, as well as in hospitals, pharmacies and dental offices. The government will cover the costs. |
| Spahn also said that everyone should be able to get coronavirus at-home self-test kits, which are expected to be approved soon by the German regulator. | Spahn also said that everyone should be able to get coronavirus at-home self-test kits, which are expected to be approved soon by the German regulator. |
| “These testing options can contribute to a safe everyday life, especially in schools and daycare centers,” Spahn tweeted. | “These testing options can contribute to a safe everyday life, especially in schools and daycare centers,” Spahn tweeted. |
| The antigen tests, however, have been described as being less accurate than the PCR tests. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which tracks Covid-19 infections in Germany, advises people to confirm any positive result from an antigen test by following up with a PCR test. | The antigen tests, however, have been described as being less accurate than the PCR tests. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which tracks Covid-19 infections in Germany, advises people to confirm any positive result from an antigen test by following up with a PCR test. |
| On Tuesday, the RKI reported Germany’s seven-day incidence rate at 59 cases per 100,000 people. | On Tuesday, the RKI reported Germany’s seven-day incidence rate at 59 cases per 100,000 people. |
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