Status: 11/11/2022 02:23 am
According to the Robert Koch Institute, there has been an increase in corona infections with the omicron sublines BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 in the past few weeks – albeit at a low level. Overall, there are less severe courses and falling incidences.
The still relatively new omicron sublines BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are being detected more and more frequently in Germany, but the level is still quite low. The proportion of BQ.1.1 was more than four percent in a sample from the week before last, according to the Corona Weekly Report of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The same applies to BQ.1. So far, no increase in the burden of the disease has been observed.
BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are descendants of BA.5 – the omicron variant, which has been responsible for the majority of infections in this country for months. According to models from the European disease control agency ECDC, both should prevail in the coming weeks. According to initial findings, these pathogens are better able to evade the immune response of vaccinated and/or recovered people than their predecessors.
Less severe courses, falling incidences
Overall, the Corona situation is easing: “The number of serious cases continues to decrease,” the RKI also notes about the development of the past week. The seven-day incidence also fell in all federal states. However, it cannot be ruled out that the number of cases will increase again, according to the RKI. The report largely refers to the past week, when most of the federal states had a public holiday on Monday or Tuesday. Partly there were also autumn holidays. According to the RKI, these influence the number of contacts of people, but also the test behavior.
Vaccinations can further ease the situation
As in the previous weeks, the current report warns of a high infection pressure now in autumn – not only with regard to Covid-19, but also because of other respiratory diseases. The flu and RSV waves have already started. RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. According to the RKI, the further course and the protection of risk groups depend “very significantly” on the use of vaccinations against Covid-19 and flu (according to the recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission), behavior and mutual consideration.