Munich (dpa / lby) - Even if the latest incidences in Munich and all of Bavaria indicate a possible trend reversal, the clinics are groaning under the weight of the current corona wave. There are currently more patients with the virus in the house than in any other wave before, said the medical director of the LMU Klinikum in Munich, Markus Lerch on Friday. And it makes no difference whether the patients are admitted with or because of Corona. "The effort is the same."
This additional effort meets a thinned workforce. After the Oktoberfest, 500 of the 11,000 employees were absent due to Corona. In the meantime there are still about 340, says Lerch. Here the wave is already receding a bit, with the patients it is merely stagnating.
In addition, especially in the case of older people, who often suffer from several diseases, the differences between admission with and because of Corona are fluid, emphasizes Lerch. "Covid is still dying."
Overall, the intensive care units are less stressed in the current wave than in the first or second wave, but there are also severe courses - especially among those who have not been vaccinated. "Today, for example, a 50-year-old patient who is very seriously ill with corona, has a white lung, needs ventilation and is still unvaccinated." In this context, the white lung means a very severe pneumonia caused by the corona virus.
Lerch is therefore promoting getting vaccinated - not only against Corona, but also to protect against the strong flu wave expected this year. He would like politicians to run a campaign here and - if the numbers don't fall - a mask requirement at major events. "Personally, I believe that this is the most efficient measure to mitigate the peaks in the autumn and winter wave that is now expected."
