Status: 09/15/2022 8:35 p.m
The number of new infections with Corona in Germany fell for seven weeks. But according to the RKI, that has now changed. A group of experts is now calling for a change in strategy in the fight against the pandemic.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the long-lasting decline in corona infections in Germany has stopped. The nationwide seven-day incidence, for example, remained relatively stable compared to the week before last, “after it had previously decreased for seven weeks”. This emerges from the Covid 19 report by the Berlin institute, which mainly refers to the previous week.
In addition to the incidence, which is only meaningful to a limited extent, the RKI also looks at a number of other indicators. Even with severe Covid 19 diseases, for example, the downward trend did not continue according to the data. When it came to the number of intensive care patients affected, there was talk of a plateau.
Experts call for a change of strategy
With a view to the Federal Council vote on the Corona rules for autumn on Friday, a group of experts, including virologist Klaus Stöhr, is calling for a change of strategy. According to the paper published by the German Society for Hospital Hygiene, natural infections and vaccinations have led to “broad immunity” in the population.
Politicians must initiate a “clear change in strategy with a focus on protecting vulnerable groups while at the same time ensuring the functionality of critical infrastructure and the health system”. The chairman of the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (DGPI), Tobias Tenenbaum, and the medical statistician Gerd Antes are also named as authors.
Criticism of compulsory vaccination
Specifically, the group is calling, among other things, for the vaccination requirement for healthcare workers to be lifted, as this does not offer any protection against infection. The functionality of the critical infrastructure and the health system should be ensured “by eliminating disproportionate and unjustifiable, i.e. no longer up-to-date, isolation orders for healthy infected people”.
Unreasonable routine tests and a mask requirement in schools are “to be rejected without indication”. The change to a “consequence reduction strategy” is still overdue. Other countries are already doing this successfully, the paper says
The World Health Organization (WHO) also believes that the end of the pandemic is in sight. At the same time, the organization warns not to be careless in the fight against the virus. Tests and, above all, vaccinations are still the top priority, emphasized WHO boss Tedros.
vote in the Federal Council
On Friday, the Bundesrat will vote on the new corona rules for autumn and winter that have already been passed by the Bundestag. The key provisions that are to apply from October 1 to April 7, 2023 include the obligation to wear masks on long-distance trains, clinics and medical practices.
Countries can also reintroduce the wearing of masks in restaurants and other indoor spaces. This obligation should no longer apply in airplanes. There should be no more lockdowns, company or school closures.