The founders of the DHS test centre at Leopoldplatz have observed with concern the varying sampling methods applied for nasal and throat swabbing throughout Germany. For a reliable result, the test should be performed by truly trained personnel. In addition, written confirmation of the test result can only be attained at a test centre, which enables you to, e.g., go shopping or travel by air.

Every citizen has the right to be tested free of charge at least once a week with a rapid antigen test ("citizen test"). The costs for this are covered by the federal government via the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. The aim is to detect early-stage infections, even in asymptomatic individuals, to be able to disrupt the chain of infection as quickly as possible.

Reasons to get tested include:

• Contact with an individual that has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2
• If you have flu or cold-like symptoms
• For air travel
• For scheduled medical procedures/surgery
• If you would like to visit family members who belong to one of the groups most at risk
• In suspected cases/to exclude infection
• To reliably verify a positive rapid antigen test

The gargle test is actually intended as a concept for primary school children for their opening. Although this test is approved by the World Health Organisation, the target group this test is intended for should be kept in mind. Nasal and throat swabs are unpleasant but medically and epidemiologically necessary, as they provide the most reliable diagnosis. The Robert Koch Institute has warned of the dilutions effect of the gargle test. In the low-cost PCR gargle test, individual patient samples are mixed with up to 10 other samples to reduce laboratory costs. However, test reliability is affected, with the potential of the failure to detect individuals with a low viral load. Especially at the beginning of an infection, individuals are usually asymptomatic and only a few viruses are present. Without reliable diagnostics, the test person can be mistakenly given the all-clear. The individual may then unknowingly infect friends, acquaintances, and/or family members who may even belong to one of the groups at most risk.

At DHS, we are aware of our responsibility in the current pandemic to identify even weak-positive cases and provide the best possible advice to individuals. Therefore, we work with nasal and throat swabs, with personnel trained by us, and perform single PCR measurements in our own laboratory (no pooling).

Over the past year, we have observed the following:  

1. Saliva is not as reliable as nasal and throat swabs. The gargle test is associated with dilution effects.
2. Some individuals were positive in either the nasal or throat swab. Therefore, we always perform both swabbing forms for PCR analysis.
3. An infection may be missed if, e.g., the same throat swab is used as both a throat and nasal swab. This was practiced for a certain amount of time due to the supply shortage of nasal swabs.
4. Individual measurements should be performed as many subjects have a CT value just below the detection limit. Pooling strategies would lead to dilution effects and weak-positive cases might be missed.

The DHS premises and, therefore, also the test centre at Leopoldplatz can only be entered with a correctly used FFP2 mask. In addition, the following rules apply:

• Distance of at least 1.5 metres from other individuals
• Hygiene rules are to be observed (disinfection dispensers are available on-site)
• Dproper mask. Please only enter the premises/rooms with FFP2 masks. These are also available on site.

Please limit your visit to our test centre to a minimum.

Yes. In general, any person with a valid passport/ID card can be tested. It is important to present the identification document or the residence permit.

No. You are not required to have a residential address in Berlin to be tested. It is important to present your ID card/passport or residence permit.

Principally, everyone has the right and also the duty to be tested via PCR if they are symptomatic. We ask for particularly strict adherence to hygiene measures in order not to endanger public welfare. Please directly visit the test centre at Leopoldplatz and do not proceed to other locations until the test result is available. Also, please place yourself under quarantine until the test result is available.

Please try to be as punctual as possible to your appointment, i.e., not too early and not too late. If this is not possible to do unforeseeable circumstances, we will try to accommodate your needs. In such cases, please contact us at 030 28690892 if you have an appointment shortly before the closing time or if you are running late.