"We need to protect precisely those who are at particular risk. Above all, these are the employees and residents of our retirement and nursing homes and other community care facilities. That is why we have commissioned the Frankfurt District Association of the German Red Cross to begin the mobile Corona tests," said Mayor Peter Feldmann, Head of Health Stefan Majer and Head of Social Affairs Daniela Birkenfeld on Monday, April 6. "We prepared everything over the weekend and can now drive to the facilities with a converted public bus," explained DRK managing director Dierk Dallwitz.
"We have great understanding for the fact that the families of employees - but also the relatives of the home residents - are very worried. After all, we are talking about special risk groups here. We want to create certainty and then act consistently for our facilities according to the results," Feldmann said.
"We want to start with the investigations, which will continue over the Easter holidays, where we know of Corona cases. Then it will be the turn of the other homes, followed by other community facilities with at-risk groups. The bus will go to each home and test on site. In the evening, the samples will go to the lab. The results will be available within 24 to 72 hours," Majer explained. "However, the Corona tests are not a substitute for keeping your distance and other hygiene measures such as frequent hand washing."
"We have had a great many requests from nursing homes and homes for the elderly in the last few days for their staff and residents not to be tested. We think this makes sense and have acted swiftly and commissioned the Frankfurt Red Cross. I want to thank the Red Cross for building capacity quickly," Birkenfeld said.
"We have modified the bus so that there is barrier-free access. Our employees are protected. Bedridden residents will be tested in their rooms. On board will be the driver, a doctor and a medical assistant. We anticipate 8000 samplings in about 50 facilities. The homes can register via a new homepage," announced the DRK managing director.
