Berlin Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach warns of further caution, despite a slight fall in the number of corona infections, and warns of additional easing. The peak of the Omicron wave has passed, said the SPD politician on Friday in Berlin. At a press conference with the Vice President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lars Schaade, and Michael Meyer-Hermann from the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, the Minister also announced delivery of the Novavax vaccine.
However, he warns: “We are not really in safe waters yet.” The numbers could also rise again quickly if the easing is exaggerated. The federal states would have to remain cautious. “Everything is sewn on edge.” What has been decided is the most that can be relaxed.
Lauterbach referred to the still high proportion of unvaccinated people over 60 at risk and the new, probably more contagious omicron sub-variant BA.2. If this continues to prevail, “it cannot be ruled out that the number of cases will decrease more slowly or increase again,” adds Schaade. Researcher Meyer-Hermann points out that an omicron infection alone does not protect against the delta variant and previous variants. “Delta can come up again in the fall,” explains Meyer-Hermann.
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According to the RKI, the seven-day incidence has fallen again – to 1371.7 after 1385.1 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days the previous day. The health authorities reported 220,048 new cases in one day. However, the numbers are only of limited significance at the moment. Experts assume a high number of cases that are not recorded in the official data. 264 other deaths were also registered within 24 hours.
Pandemic for many years to come
Lauterbach is preparing people in Germany for many years to come with the risk of a pandemic. “We will be dealing with the pandemic for a very long time,” he says. One could think of that in a period of ten years.
Even if you now go into the endemic state, this does not mean a complete all-clear. “The endemic condition means we will have outbreaks again and again.” There will also be serious deaths. The reason is that vaccinations do not have such a strong effect on some people.
According to scientific estimates, further corona waves are to be expected in the autumn. In order to cope with this, a general obligation to vaccinate is necessary, Lauterbach made it clear.
The RKI does not expect the virus to disappear either. “We have to be prepared for the fact that there will be more Covid waves,” says RKI Vice President Lars Schaade. It is not known what effect they would have, but the best protection is definitely vaccination.
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Even if the peak of the omicron wave has now been passed, this does not mean there is any relaxation, especially for the hospitals. Schaade said: “The peak for the intensive care units has not yet been reached.”
It is therefore important to continue to maintain protective measures in hospitals and nursing homes. Schaade warned to be particularly careful when coming into contact with people who are at risk.
“Take a test beforehand, even if you are vaccinated or recovered. Keep your distance and if you meet indoors, it’s best to wear a mask and ventilate plenty,” he stressed. The pandemic is not over yet, and Sars-Cov-2 will not go away, said Schaade.
Novavax delivery starting next Monday
At the press conference, the Federal Minister of Health announced that Germany will receive the first delivery of the Corona vaccine from Novavax at the beginning of next week. “We expect 1.4 million doses of the Novavax vaccine on Monday, another million the week after, and then more batches with a certain delay,” said the SPD politician.
In the past, however, the company had repeatedly pointed out that deliveries could not be made on time.
(Photo: Reuters)
In the past, however, the company had repeatedly pointed out that deliveries could not be made on time. But you are in close contact, said Lauterbach.
He assumes that delivery will be made next week. The supplies would then be distributed to the countries that would use it “probably essentially” in the areas where the facility-related vaccination obligation should take effect.
The health ministers of the federal states had spoken out in favor of initially offering the preparation to unvaccinated health care workers. Novavax could be an alternative for those who have reservations about Biontech and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines.
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