Due to the rapidly increasing number of infections, in the fight against the Omikron wave, the head of the German government’s Corona crisis team, Major General Carsten Breuer, will soon probably no longer have enough test capacities for the entire population. “As with all scarce resources, we will certainly have to bundle capacities where necessary. This also applies to tests,” said Breuer Süddeutsche Zeitung.
“As soon as it gets tight somewhere, I have to prioritize. Employees in the critical infrastructure have priority,” he said. The goal, however, is to maintain the previous test regime for as long as possible. “We need the most accurate data possible to see how the wave affects us,” said Breuer.
According to an industry association, medical laboratories in Germany are increasingly reaching their capacity limits because there has been little priority in PCR tests. That is critical for the sick and hospitals. “The high numbers of infections go hand in hand with many tests,” said the chairman of the Association of Accredited Laboratories in Medicine, Michael Müller Rheinische Post.
“It is therefore imperative that medical practices and test centers in particular are encouraged to align themselves with the national test strategy,” demanded Müller. If capacities are tight, PCR tests would have to be carried out in accordance with the recommendations there. “The fact that you can soon be freed from quarantine will inevitably lead to additional work for the laboratories.” The federal government and the states have not given any forecasts “how many more tests we will have to adjust to,” said Müller. “The laboratories will now have to face the onslaught largely unprepared.”
With regard to PCR tests, the Ministry of Health recently stated that the possible weekly capacity of 2.4 million tests would not yet be exhausted with up to 1.5 million PCR tests. According to a statement on Tuesday, Müller said: “The stress in the laboratories is considerable, but I see no reason for too much concern.”
The Green health expert Janosch Dahmen also spoke out in favor of prioritizing PCR tests. They would have to be kept in readiness for important medical diagnostics of the seriously ill and for the staff of the critical infrastructure, said Dahmen on the RBB-Inforadio. In individual cases, for example, there could be delays in free testing. The chairman of the Professional Association of German Laboratory Doctors, Andreas Bobrowski, warned against enabling early free testing from quarantine not only with PCR tests, but also with “high quality” antigen tests. (01/13/2022)
81,417 new infections in one day – the incidence is increasing
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reports a new high of 81,417 new corona infections, after a negative record was recorded on Wednesday. The nationwide seven-day incidence increases from 407.5 to 427.7. The value indicates how many people per 100,000 population have contracted the coronavirus in the past seven days. The incidence value is currently highest in the city of Bremen with 1438.5.
According to the RKI, another 316 people died in connection with the virus. This increases the number of reported deaths to 115 051. The number of corona patients admitted to clinics per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days was given by the RKI on Wednesday at 3.13. (01/13/2022)
Twelve federal states are checking the license for the Luca app
In twelve federal states it is unclear whether the Luca app will continue to be used contractually to track contacts in the corona pandemic. In Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Saxony-Anhalt, this is checked according to a survey by the German Press Agency. Schleswig-Holstein has decided not to extend the license beyond March. North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony and Thuringia do not have a contract with the operator.
While privacy advocates see risks, the German District Association advertises the app: “We think that Luca is still the most sensible way of tracking contacts because there is a direct channel between the health department, the restaurant operator and the user,” said a spokeswoman. “If necessary, the health authorities can quickly access the data of those affected and their contact persons and contact them.” (01/13/2022)
France’s Senate tightened restrictions on unvaccinated people
The French Senate has approved the planned tightening of the corona rules for unvaccinated people with restrictions. In order to contain the fifth wave, unvaccinated people will soon no longer have access to facilities such as gastronomy and culture and will no longer be able to use long-distance trains and flights. So far, this was still possible with a current negative test.
However, the Senate determined that the tightening will only apply as long as there are more than 10,000 corona patients in French clinics. There are currently around 24,000 patients. Those who have recovered should also receive the digital Corona pass in the future, which allows unrestricted access to facilities and events, as determined by the Senate. The obligation to provide proof of vaccination as a prerequisite for access should also only apply from the age of 18.
For overriding reasons, long-distance travel should still be possible with a test without vaccination. Even those who have already made an appointment for a vaccination should temporarily continue to have access everywhere with a test. The Senate wiped harsher penalties from the table as well as an obligation for restaurateurs to verify the identity of guests. This is the sole power of the police.
The number of cases in France has skyrocketed in the past few weeks. The omicron variant of the coronavirus is now predominant in the country. On Wednesday, almost 362,000 registered new corona infections were recorded within one day. The latest incidence nationwide was 2,811. (01/13/2022)
Former hotspots in the east with low case numbers
The former corona hotspots in eastern Germany are currently reporting relatively low values, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute on Wednesday. While the incidence for the whole of Germany is 407.5, Saxony with 239.5 has the lowest value of all 16 states, ahead of Saxony-Anhalt with 254.4 and Thuringia with 277.6. At the top is Bremen with 1,296.8 and Berlin with 856.4.
The social minister there, Petra Köpping (SPD), explains the sharp decline in incidence in Saxony partly with the regionally tightened corona rules: “They were tough measures, they were tough cuts,” says Köpping. The Leipzig epidemiologist Markus Scholz sees it similarly: “Through the measures (in adults) we have achieved a contact reduction of 50 percent.” For this reason, the wave of infections with the delta variant flattened out earlier. The highly contagious Omikron variant is initially less common in Saxony than in other regions.
If Omikron prevails, however, Scholz believes that the situation will change quickly. “We expect a rise again by the end of January at the latest. There will be record numbers again.” The Ministry of Health in Thuringia shares this view. “After all the forecasts and calculations, we assume that the situation in Thuringia will worsen again,” said a spokeswoman. (01/12/2022)
Lauterbach waives its own suggestion for mandatory vaccinations
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach does not propose a general vaccination requirement. The news portal The Pioneer said the SPD politician: “I have decided not to present my own proposal, but to be neutral.” Presenting your own draft to Parliament would definitely be “not such a smart idea”. As health minister he must have “a certain neutrality”.
In the matter he stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, assured Lauterbach. “We are clear advocates of mandatory vaccination.” The minister does not see any particular time pressure. For the Omikron variant, the compulsory vaccination no longer plays a decisive role. It has to work in perspective, “so that the wave can be averted in autumn”. (01/12/2022)