This article explains key elements of the German <strong>coronavirus testing</strong> program and what to do if you think you have contracted COVID-19.
In the first instance, you should contact your doctor by telephone for further advice. Your doctor will decide whether a coronavirus test is necessary. if you have not yet registered with a doctor, you should contact the local health authority (Gesundheitsamt).
If your symptoms are acute and you need urgent medical care, you should call 116 117 immediately.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA), a test is generally indicated if:
If you meet these criteria, you should contact your doctor by telephone. Do not visit your doctor unless you are advised to do so.
There are essentially two types of test:
Your doctor will determine whether a test is necessary and what test you need.
Individuals with mild symptoms of COVID-19 can typically recover at home. However, it is important to contact your general practitioner by phone if there is no improvement during the first week of illness or if symptoms worsen. Outside regular office hours, the on-call medical service can be reached at 116 117. In emergencies, such as acute breathing difficulties, you should call 112 immediately.
People who are older or have chronic health conditions should consider seeking medical attention as soon as they notice early signs of a respiratory infection and suspect COVID-19. This group has a higher risk of severe illness, making it essential to act early. Early intervention, such as antiviral medications designed to combat viral infections, might be beneficial.
If you suspect you have COVID-19, you can usually recover at home. However, if you belong to one of the high-risk groups mentioned above or if your symptoms fail to improve during the first week, it is advisable to seek medical guidance.
The list of countries and regions considered high risk by the German government is updated continuously based on the prevalence of the virus.
The Federal Foreign Office (AA), Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) jointly update a current list of high-risk areas (scroll down for English version). If you have spent time in one of these areas in the last 14 days, you should inform your doctor. Depending on the rules in your federal state, you may also be instructed to self-isolate (quarantine).
This depends where you enter Germany as the federal states have control over specific implementation of traveler testing programs. As of August 2020, free testing is available for anyone arriving in Germany within the first 72 hours of arrival.
However, if you develop symptoms after arriving or spent time in high-risk area prior to your arrival, you should contact your doctor – or, if you have not yet registered with a doctor, the local health authority (Gesundheitsamt).
You can find your local health authority using this search tool from the Robert Koch Institute.
Antigen rapid tests detect specific proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract of infected individuals. These tests provide a quick way to determine whether an active SARS-CoV-2 infection is present.
To perform the test, a swab is taken from either the throat (via the mouth) or the nasopharynx (via the nose). The analysis is conducted on-site, with results typically available in under 30 minutes. Trained personnel are required to administer the antigen rapid test.
A positive result from an antigen rapid test should be taken seriously. However, these tests are less reliable than PCR tests, meaning a negative result cannot definitively rule out an infection.
The Corona-Warn-App has been developed by the German government to help combat the spread of the virus. It is entirely voluntary but highly recommended to help fight the virus.
Once downloaded onto a smartphone, the app aims to track who has had contact with infected persons and disrupt chains of infection.
You can download the app from the App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android.
Of course! Through our ottonova Concierge Service we can book appointments for you. You just easily write us a message with your requirements, and we will find the best option for you.
The payment is different than in the public system. With private health insurance you pay the full tariff to us at the beginning of the month. If you are employed your employer will contribute their part to your health insurance through your salary.
The daily sickness allowance is an important insurance. When you get ill for a prolonged time and you cannot work, you normally lose your income. A daily sickness allowance insurance can help balance out this loss of income. The quantity of the daily sickness allowance is based on your net income and complements the additional money provided by the social security system.
As an employee, you are always guaranteed a wage continuation up to the 43rd day you’re ill with one illness. For this reason, it is practical to plan for your daily sickness allowance to start from the 43rd day.
For freelancers and self-employed professionals, the public wage continuation doesn’t apply – so therefore it’s even more advisable to plan for an insurance against the loss of potential income after the 43rd day.
Saving on health insurance and still getting the best coverage isn’t possible? With signing in for ottonova you can make it happen!
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