GGD can handle a test request, but commercial test streets can still handle it
The collaborative test streets that will help test people with complaints on a large scale are not yet necessary, according to the GGDs. “At the moment we can handle the current test numbers,” a saying from GGD GHOR Nederland told the NOS.
More than a week ago, the GGDs concluded an agreement with the Open Netherlands Foundation for additional testing capacity. This was necessary in order to quickly expand the test question for the more difficult omikron variant.
But now the GGD says that the demand for tests has not changed at all and that remains around 150,000 per day. That number corresponds exactly to the own GGD capacity. It is also a lot quieter in the call centers than last week, says one said.
“Why aren’t we needed?”
Sacha Goossens, owner of the commercial Alegria Health test streets, is stunned by the GGD’s response. “This is very strange. There are still long extensions everywhere, so why are we not needed? And why do we have to be surgery last week?”
Here and there, people who try to make a corona test appointment are properly referred to commercial test locations, but these are small numbers at regional peaks in test demand.
The GGD does not rule out outsourcing more tests at a later date. “At the time when the test demand arises again due to the relaxation, we are in the process of receiving the referrals to commercial test providers.”