In Portugal, the Corona numbers are already rising again. The reason seems to be the predominant omicron variant BA.5. In autumn or winter, this could lead to significantly more corona infections in Germany, warns the head of the World Medical Association, Montgomery. He demands: "Vaccinate, now more than ever."
The Council Chairman of the World Medical Association, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, has warned of the spread of the omicron variant BA.5 in Germany in view of the increasing number of corona infections in Portugal. "Corona is not over yet - this is proven by the violent outbreak of omicron in Portugal," said Montgomery of the "Rheinische Post".
"The BA.5 variant of the virus will also spread to us. Many, including those who have been vaccinated, will become ill. Good to know: those who are vaccinated are much less ill. The risk of dying is 99 percent lower than in the unvaccinated," said Montgomery. He therefore called for good preparation for autumn and winter.
"The toolbox must be defined and maintained in the Infection Protection Act: from the obligation to wear a mask to the lockdown - uniformly and clearly regulated nationwide," Montgomery demanded. "The smarter we behave now, the fewer drastic measures we need in autumn and winter. Wearing a mask voluntarily wherever many people come together. Vaccination, especially now. And not playing off freedom against security," said Montgomery.
The omicron sub-variant BA.5 has caused a renewed increase in the number of corona cases in Portugal. According to the authorities, the variant first detected in Portugal at the end of March is now the predominant variant in the country. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also recently warned that the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, first identified in South Africa, could lead to a resurgence in the number of cases.
