The summer wave continues to roll relentlessly through Germany. According to the RKI, there is neither an actual relaxation in the number of infections nor in the hospitals. On the contrary: More and more patients are coming to the intensive care unit with Covid-19.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is still not giving the all-clear regarding the development of the corona summer wave in Germany. “Furthermore, a sideways movement rather than a downward trend can be observed,” says the institute’s current weekly report on Covid-19. The nationwide seven-day incidence fell only slightly last week compared to the previous week. The overall picture results from the already falling incidences in most western German federal states and Berlin - with slightly increasing incidences in the other eastern German federal states and Bavaria.
The RKI speaks of an estimated 800,000 to 1.5 million corona infected people with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection in the past week. There is still a high infection pressure in all age groups. "Therefore, cases and, especially in the older age groups, hospitalizations, an increase in intensive care treatments and deaths can still be expected in the coming weeks."
The number of people treated in intensive care units with a Covid 19 diagnosis has continued to rise. As of Wednesday, it had increased to 1587 cases. According to the information, there were still 1330 in the previous week. The number of deaths is currently just over 400 per week. According to the report, people over the age of 80 “continue to be most affected by severe disease progression”. The incidence here is also increasing. The number of outbreaks of Covid-19 both in medical treatment facilities and in old people's and nursing homes has continued to increase.
As can be seen from the weekly report, the omicron subline BA.5 has largely established itself in this country: According to the latest available data, the line has been found in almost nine out of ten positive samples.
The RKI also calls for "absolutely" complying with the recommendations for avoiding infection. The values for acute respiratory diseases in the general population, such as the number of doctor visits, are still higher than in previous years at this time.
Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach again warned against underestimating or accepting corona infections in the current summer wave. The SPD politician told the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” that the original idea that you would become infected and then be immune forever was not confirmed.
He pointed out that it is very easy to get infected with the current BA.5 virus variant, even if you were infected with the previous BA.2 variant. According to new studies, BA.5 is also more likely to become seriously ill and require hospital treatment. In Germany you can already see an increase in hospitalizations and more transfers to intensive care units, the minister explained.
He opposed the presentation by the head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Andreas Gassen, who had described the omicron variant "almost as a peace offering from the virus". Accepting such an offer would cost many with their lives. "Many people with risk factors would then become seriously ill or die." In addition, the risk of Long Covid increases. "Therefore we have to solve the problem not with constant infection, but with better vaccines," said Lauterbach.
